The Catholic Calendar for Monday, April 24, 2006
Monday of the Second Week of Easter
St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 4:23-31
Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9
John 3:1-8

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In both readings, Acts and the Gospel of John, we come to acknowledge the ignorance of the Jewish people in regards to the words spoken by Jesus, and the apostles. In John, Nicodemus believes that Jesus is of a great nature and beyond human comprehension, however he still fears for his reputation as an authority in his genuine warning to Jesus. He truly wants to believe Jesus is the Messiah, but is unable to be fully open to Jesus' teaching: "You must be born from above." The Jewish authorities fail to understand and believe Jesus' message through the apostles. The apostles lament how the Jews treated God's holy servant Jesus whom He anointed.

We come to realize that the Jewish leaders misunderstood Jesus' mission and message for the world. He did not come to wage war against the Romans and physically deliver them from bondage. Jesus came to unshackle the chains on our souls, to be reborn "from above," to let His love enter our hearts, and then the seed of peace shall grow. The apostles opened their hearts to the Holy Spirit as written in Acts; "and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

How have we let our lives be lead by the Holy Spirit? Do we shut Jesus out, or do we try to open our hearts to His love and peace? Do we trust in the power of the Holy Sprit to guide us in our daily lives?

- Alicia