Gospel: April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025 (Monday)

2nd Week of Easter

Psalter: Week 2 (White/Red)

St. Louis Grignion de Montfort, priest

St. Peter Chanel, priest and martyr

Ps 2:1-3, 4-6, 7-9

Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

See Also

Baguio folk facing eviction seek protection as DND recovers military lands

1st Reading: Acts 4:23-31

Gospel: John 3:1-8

Among the Pharisees there was a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus. He came to Jesus by night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you have come from God to teach us, for no one can perform miraculous signs like yours unless God is with him.” Jesus replied, “Truly, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again from above.” Nicodemus said, “How can there be rebirth for a grown man? Who could go back to his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “Truly, I say to you: No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Because of this, don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again from above.’ The wind blows where it pleases and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Reflection:

“Faith is a new birth.”

Faith is a new birth. It’s a being “born from above.” The Spirit of God works in us and moves our hearts to follow God’s ways. The Holy Spirit guides us, strengthens us and makes us holy. And so, when faith is alive, our actions will move in tune with the Spirit. As God is love, is it clear that our actions will be more loving, if they are moved by the Spirit of God. But a loving life doesn’t mean we become exempt from the envy or spiteful actions of others. We see that even in the first community of believers. They are following Christ, and they share in his rejection: “But now, Lord, see their threats against us.” Should this dissuade us from living in love? By no means! Peter Chanel, the protomartyr of the Marists, lived among the two warring tribes on the tiny Polynesian Island of Futuna. His life and death sowed the seeds of unity and faith among the people because they saw someone living a way of love. They even named him “Great-Heart.” Loving actions come in all shapes and sizes. May we not be afraid, and may our hearts become great with love.