April 13, 2015

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 4:23 – 31

4:23	Then, having been released, they went to their own, and they reported in full what the leaders of the priests and the elders had said to them.
4:24	And when they had heard it, with one accord, they lifted up their voice to God, and they said: “Lord, you are the One who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them,
4:25	who, by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said: ‘Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense?
4:26	The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, against the Lord and against his Christ.’
4:27	For truly Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, joined together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed
4:28	to do what your hand and your counsel had decreed would be done.
4:29	And now, O Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants that they may speak your word with all confidence,
4:30	by extending your hand in cures and signs and miracles, to be done through the name of your holy Son, Jesus.”
4:31	And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was moved. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they were speaking the Word of God with confidence.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 3:1 – 8:

3:1	Now there was a man among the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
3:2	He went to Jesus at night, and he said to him: “Rabbi, we know that you have arrived as a teacher from God. For no one would be able to accomplish these signs, which you accomplish, unless God were with him.”
3:3	Jesus responded and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one has been reborn anew, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”
3:4	Nicodemus said to him: “How could a man be born when he is old? Surely, he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be reborn?”
3:5	Jesus responded: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one has been reborn by water and the Holy Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
3:6	What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
3:7	You should not be amazed that I said to you: You must be born anew.
3:8	The Spirit inspires where he wills. And you hear his voice, but you do not know where he comes from, or where he is going. So it is with all who are born of the Spirit.”