Daily Gospel for April 20. Readings of the day. John 3:1-8

Readings of the day April 20. (2nd Monday of Easter)

Reading of the Acts of the Apostles 4:23-31. After their release Peter and John went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, you said by the holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: "Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed." Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,to do what your hand and (your) will had long ago planned to take place. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth (your) hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Daily Psalm. Psalm 2:1-9.

(R). "Blessed are they who put their trust in God".

Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the LORD and against his anointed: "Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!". (R).

He who is throned in heaven laughs; the LORD derides them. Then in anger he speaks to them; he terrifies them in his wrath: "I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain." I will proclaim the decree of the LORD. (R).

The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; this day I have begotten you." "Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish." (R).

Daily Gospel Acclamation. Gospel of the day April 20. (2nd Easter Monday)

"Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!" (Cfr. Colosenses 3:1)

Daily Gospel. Gospel of the day April 20. John 3:1-8.

Reading for the Gospel of the day - (2nd Easter Monday - One must be born again in the Spirit) 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, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a person 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, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 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."

Daily Gospel Commentaries by Pope Francis.

In the Gospel of the day, the first Christians were one heart and one soul, thanks to the Spirit who had brought them back to a new life.

The Christian community of the first year of the Church´s life is a perennial model for the Christian community of today.

Nicodemus does not understand how a man can be born again. This being born again is the new life that we have received in baptism, and which must be developed with our collaboration.

We must do all that is necessary for life to develop into new life. This is a laborious path which depends both on the Holy Spirit and on the ability of each one to open himself to His breath, to His influence.

This is what the first Christians did. They possessed the new life, which was expressed in living with one heart and one soul. They had unity, unanimity, harmony of feeling in love, mutual love

Today we must rediscover these dimensions. For example, the aspect of meekness in the community, a somewhat forgotten virtue.

Meekness, the virtue that gives a kind and gentle heart, has many enemies. The first is gossip.

When one prefers to tell gossip about others, to criticize them, to speak a little badly of the other, these are everyday things that happen to everyone, including me, these are temptations from the evil one, who does not want the Spirit to come to us and make the peace and meekness of the first Christian communities a reality.

There are always these struggles: in the parish, in the family, in the neighborhood, among friends. And this is not the new life, because when the Spirit comes and makes us be born to a new life he makes us meek, charitable.

What is the proper behavior for a Christian?. First of all, not to judge anyone, because the only judge is the Lord. Then "keep quiet", and if something must be said, say it to those concerned or to whomever can remedy the situation, and not to the whole neighborhood.

If, with the grace of the Spirit, we manage never to gossip, it will be a great step forward that will do us all good. (Homily of the Gospel of the day. Santa Marta, 11 April 2013)

Pope´s quotes.

"Today the simple and disarming love of Jesus revives the heart of Thomas (Jn 20,19-31). Like the apostle Thomas, let us accept mercy, the salvation of the world. And let us show mercy to those who are most vulnerable; for only in this way will we build a new world." (04.19.2020 - @pontifex)

Daily Gospel. Meditation in video for Gospel of the day April 20. (2nd Easter Mondday)