DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION
APRIL 29, 2025
TUESDAY - MEMORIAL OF SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
FIRST READING
ACTS 4:32-37 OR (1 JOHN 1:5--2:2)
32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
The Word of the Lord
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
PSALMS 92(93):1-2, 5 OR (PSALMS 103:1-4, 8-9, 13-14, 17-18)
Response: The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
Or
R. Alleluia.
The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
Or
R. Alleluia.
Yea, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
thy throne is established from of old;
thou art from everlasting.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
Or
R. Alleluia.
Thy decrees are very sure;
holiness befits thy house,
O LORD, for evermore.
R. The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
Or
R. Alleluia.
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GOSPEL
You must be born anew
JOHN 3:7-15 OR (MATTHEW 11:25-30)
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can this be?"10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION
A DAILY QUOTE FROM EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
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)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.