The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, invite us to reflect on our spiritual rebirth and the support we acquire from Scripture and the Spirit.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Life in the Christian Community.
* [4:32–37] This is the second summary characterizing the Jerusalem community (see note on Acts 2:42–47). It emphasizes the system of the distribution of goods and introduces Barnabas, who appears later in Acts as the friend and companion of Paul, and who, as noted here (Acts 4:37), endeared himself to the community by a donation of money through the sale of property. This sharing of material possessions continues a practice that Luke describes during the historical ministry of Jesus (Lk 8:3) and is in accord with the sayings of Jesus in Luke’s gospel (Lk 12:33; 16:9, 11, 13). (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 93 is a hymn celebrating the kingship of God.
* [Psalm 93] A hymn celebrating the kingship of God, who created the world (Ps 93:1–2) by defeating the sea (Ps 93:3–4). In the ancient myth that is alluded to here, Sea completely covered the land, making it impossible for the human community to live. Sea, or Flood, roars in anger against God, who is personified in the storm. God’s utterances or decrees are given authority by the victory over Sea (Ps 93:5). (Psalms, PSALM 93 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Nicodemus ‘You must be born from above.’
* [3:8] Wind: the Greek word pneuma (as well as the Hebrew rûah) means both “wind” and “spirit.” In the play on the double meaning, “wind” is primary.
* [3:14] Lifted up: in Nm 21:9 Moses simply “mounted” a serpent upon a pole. John here substitutes a verb implying glorification. Jesus, exalted to glory at his cross and resurrection, represents healing for all.
* [3:15] Eternal life: used here for the first time in John, this term stresses quality of life rather than duration. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Rev. Martha Slocombe asks how many times have we gotten a recommendation from someone we love and trust and ignored it?
So often we hear testimony of a vibrant life with the eternal one – a.k.a. God – from scripture, from our pastor or priest, or a friend, and we do nothing. We wait for a future time when we can absorb it. We leave a proverbial tab open, knowing we will likely never get around to viewing it, let alone being inspired by it.
So invite you today to pause, to be present, to read these words of scripture, to allow yourself to be moved by them, to find God in them, and to live into them more deeply and fully. (Slocombe, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “He descended so that we might ascend,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Spiritual birth happens when human beings, being earthly, become heavenly. And this can only happen when they are made members of me. So that he may ascend who descended, since no one ascends who did not descend. Therefore everyone who needs to be changed and raised must meet together in a union with Christ so that the Christ who descended may ascend, considering his body (that is to say, his church)6 as nothing other than himself." (ON THE MERITS AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND ON INFANT BAPTISM 1.60) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 4:32-37 comments that Blessed Frédéric Ozanam is a more contemporary example of someone who, like the early Christians, looked beyond himself to the needs of the people around him.
Most of us don’t live in as close-knit a community as the first Christians, where everything was held in common. Nor would many of us be able, like Barnabas, to sell our property, donate it to our local parish, and still be able to care for ourselves and our families. But God still calls us to bear witness to Jesus through acts of generosity and loving service that line up with our circumstances. So ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see the needs around you. Sharing some of your resources, including your time and attention, can make a big difference!
“Lord, show me how I can share the blessings you have given me.” (Meditation on Acts 4:32-37, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on one of descriptions in Acts of the community at prayer. We are reminded to balance the “Pollyanna” description of Luke with a realistic look at our occasions of missing the mark. Friar Jude reminds us that John emphasizes the sign of the Son of Man being lifted up on the Cross as glory and love.
A Special Note from Fr. Richard Rohr in his 83rd year.
I’m delightfully surprised I am still writing to you! God has given me more time and energy than I could ever have hoped for. Lately, I’ve been reflecting—sometimes even dreaming at night—about my time in college, my years intensely studying theology, and how earnest yet ego-driven I was to get ordained and become a priest. But I am immensely grateful for how God has used it all.
Throughout all these years I’ve tried to pass my words through three gates: “Is it true? Is it loving? Is it necessary?” Because we must be sustained by a sense of what we are for, and not just what we are against. The contemplative path isn’t primarily about learning—it’s about living. Through contemplation, we begin to see differently, to love more deeply, and to act with courage. Spreading this message seems to be needed now more than ever, and with your support, that is exactly what we will do. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the tripod of piety, study, and action that is presented by the texts today and seek the guidance of the Spirit as we support the understanding and well being of the people in our environment.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/4?32
John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?7
Meditation on Acts 4:32-37. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/04/29/1264642/
Psalms, PSALM 93 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/93?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Special Note. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-fr-richard-ripples-of-loving-action/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=apr29
Slocombe, M. (2025, April 29). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/042925.html
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