Fr Kevin Kilgore

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Acts: 5: 27-33.

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name.
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men. 
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

When they heard this,
they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

The Word of the Lord.

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Throughout the year, there’s some professional sport being played. In the spring and summer, there’s baseball. In the fall and winter, there’s football and hockey. Year-round, there’s golf.

Now we’re in the NBA playoffs.

Athletes train, diet, and exercise extensively – even in the offseason – for that coveted shot at victory. Raising the trophy at the end of the season is their top priority.

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In both physical athletics and the spiritual life, there’s the element of delayed gratification. Work hard now, receive the reward later.

As Saint Paul says, “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win… [Those athletes] do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.”

Christians work hard in this present life for the sake of reaching eternal life.

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In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and the others have been flogged and imprisoned as punishment for preaching about the resurrection.

Suddenly, the earth shakes, their chains are broken, and the door to their cell is thrown open. So, what do they do? They rush right back into the temple praising God, knowing it will only lead to further pain and suffering.

Why are they so willing to suffer? 

Like professional athletes, they believe in the principle of delayed gratification. As Saint Paul says, “If we suffer with him, then we shall also reign with him.”

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In what ways do I suffer – or expend energy – for the sake of Christ?

Perhaps I’ve tried to rid myself of a particular sin; spoken publicly about my faith; studied the Word of God at home; or gotten involved in a time-consuming ministry. 

Like the Apostles, we do these things for Jesus because we know what the reward will be: life with Him forever.

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Image credits: (1) YouTube, ajzprod, 8:40, Christian Athletes (2) Redeeming God, The Teaching of the Apostles (3) Our Sunday Visitor

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Acts 4: 32-37

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the Apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the Apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.

Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas
(which is translated “”son of encouragement””),
a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,
sold a piece of property that he owned,
then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.

The Word of the Lord.

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Throughout the Easter Season, we read from the Acts of the Apostles, which tells us what life was like within the first Christian communities.

As we hear today, “The community of believers was of one heart and one mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.”

Barnabas, for example, sells all of his property and places the profits at the feet of the Apostles, to be used at their discretion.

That’d be like selling your home and your car, downsizing to the basics, and giving all of the proceeds to charity.

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But that’s who we are as a Church.

We are generous people who lay down our possessions, offer our talents, and even lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel. 

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In fact, the Church has commissioned more missionaries, founded more hospitals, schools, orphanages, soup kitchens, high schools and universities than any other institution in history.

Occasionally, these sacrifices are highlighted by the lives of Saints like Barnabas or Mother Teresa, but most often these sacrifices are made by ordinary people like us who live out their faith in little ways day after day.

For example, some of you purify our linens for Mass; others bring communion to the sick or homebound; others are intercessors, choir members, counters, ministry leaders, or staff.

How might we continue this Catholic tradition of generous giving today?

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Image credits: (1) Pinterest (2) Friends of Little Portion Hermitage (3) Church of the Living Word

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Gospel: John 3: 1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
He came to Jesus at night and said to him,
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,
for no one can do these signs that you are doing
unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 
Nicodemus said to him,
“How can a man once grown old be born again?
Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
Jesus answered,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit
he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I told you,
‘You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Today we encounter a Pharisee named Nicodemus. His role in John’s Gospel is similar to that of Doubting Thomas. They both remind us that faith is a journey.

Thomas would not believe in the resurrection until he had a personal encounter with the Risen Lord. “I will not believe unless I see the nailmarks in his hands and put my finger into his side,” Thomas said.

Nicodemus is also on the verge of faith, but he’s stuck in the realm of questioning. Curious, he approaches Jesus, who tells Nicodemus that he must be, “born again.” Then Jesus speaks of new life and the role of the Spirit. 

But this just leaves Nicodemus with more questions. “How can a man once grown old be born again?” he asks.

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We do not encounter Nicodemus again until Jesus is put on trial. Still a Pharisee, Nicodemus intervenes on Jesus’ behalf and implores his peers to allow Jesus to explain himself – a sign that Nicodemus still wants to know more.

We then encounter him a third time when he brings spices to anoint Jesus’ body.

Does Nicodemus’ faith die with Jesus at the tomb? Does he join Thomas, becoming part of the Christian community?

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We don’t know. John leaves that for us to ponder.

Nicodemus serves as a reminder to all of us that, at some point, we must decide for ourselves who Jesus is. 

Is he a prophet? A teacher? Or is he, in fact, the Appointed One, whom all of the prophets foretold?

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Our answer will change our experience of life – both now and in the world to come.

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Item credits: (1) Who is Jesus? God, Christ or Both? One God Worship (2) Christ and Nicodemus Glisee Print – Crijn Hendricksz Volmarijn, Art.com (3) Bibles For America, YouTube 2:28