Zuvaguruguru rokuparidza kweNgirozi kuna Maria

Chiverengo chokutanga:
Isaya 7,10-14; 8,10

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mubhuku roMuporofita Isaya
10 Tenzi akataura kuna Ahazi mambo weJudhia
achiti,
11 “Kumbira Tenzi Mwari wako chiratidzo,
chingave chakadzika pasi pasi senzvimbo
yavachakabvu
kana kuti chiri kudengadenga sedenga.”
12 Asi Ahazi akati, “Handidi kukumbira! Handidi
kuedza Tenzi.”
13 Iye akati,
“Chinzwai imi vemba yaDhavhidhi.
Iko kunetsa vanhu kwamunoita
hakukukwanirei here zvamunoda
kutonetsawo kunyange naMwari wangu?
14 Naizvozvo Tenzi pachavo ndivo vachakupai
chiratidzo:
Chiteererai munzwe, mhandara yava napamuviri
ichabereka mwana mukomana waichatumidza
zita rokuti Imanueri.
10 Ranganai zvamunoda kurangana asi hazvina
chimuko, temai zvamunoda kutema, asi zvamunotema hazvimbomira nokuti Mwari anesu.”
Shoko raTenzi.

Rwiyo rwokutsinhira:
Nziyo 40,6-7a.7b-8.9.10. (D – 7+8)

(D) – Tenzi ndauya, ndinofarira kuita kuda kwenyu.
6Zvibayiro nemipiro hazvisizvo zvamunofarira,
asi chamakandipa inzeve dzinonzwa.
Mupiro wokupisa nomupiro wokupfupira
zvitadzo, hamuikumbiri.
7Ndipo pandakati, “Tarisai ndinouya.”
(D) – Tenzi ndauya, ndinofarira kuita kuda kwenyu.
Mubhuku makanyorwa nezvangu muchinzi:
8 ‘Ndinofarira kuita kuda kwenyu, Mwari
wangu.
Mutemo wenyu uri mumwoyo mangu.
9Ndakaparidza shoko rinofadza roruponeso,
musangano guru.
(D) – Tenzi ndauya, ndinofarira kuita kuda kwenyu.
Handina kumbomedza mate, sokuziva kwenyu
TENZI.
10 Handina kuvanza mumwoyo mangu, kutaura
zvoruponeso rwenyu runobatsira.
Handina kuvanza mwoyochena wenyu,
nokutendeka kwenyu kusangano renyu guru.
(D) – Tenzi ndauya, ndinofarira kuita kuda kwenyu.

Chiverengo chechipiri:
VaHebheru 10,4-10

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mutsamba
yakanyorerwa vaHebheru
4Hama dzadiwa, hazvigoneki kuti ropa rehandira
nerembudzi ribvise zvitadzo.
Naizvozvo Kristu paakauya panyika akati,
5 “Zvibayiro nemipiro hazvisizvo zvamakafarira,
asi makandigadzirira muviri.
6 Mupiro wokupisa nomupiro wokupfupira
zvitadzo hamuna kuufarira.
7 Ndipo pandakati, ‘Mwari, tarisai muone
ndauya kuzoita kuda kwenyu,
sokunyorwa kwazvakaitwa nezvangu
mubhuku rokumononora.’ ”
8 Paanoti pamusoro apo: “Hamuna kuda kana
kufarira zvibayiro nemipiro, nemipiro yokupisa,
nemipiro yokupfupira zvitadzo.” (Izvi zvinopirwa
maererano nomutemo). 9 Ndokuzoti: “Tarirai ndauya kuzoita kuda kwenyu.” Ari kudzima
chokutanga achiisa chechipiri. 10Nokuda kwaizvozvo
takaitwa vatsvene pamusana pechibayiro chomuviri
waJesu Kristu chakamwe.
Shoko raTenzi.

Kupemberera Shoko Rakanaka:
Johani 1,14ab

Areruya, Areruya. Izwi akava munhu anenyama akagara pakati pedu, takaona mbiri yake.
Areruya.

Shoko Rakanaka: Ruka 1,26-38

Inzwai Shoko Rakanaka rakanyorwa naRuka
26 Mwari akatuma mutumwa Gabhurieri kuguta
reGarirea rinonzi Nazareti, 27kumhandara yakanga
ichangoroorwa nomurume ainzi Josefi, wemba
yaDhavhidhi; zita remhandara iyi rainzi Maria.
28 Mutumwa akauya kwaari akati, “Kwaziwa iwe
wakakomborerwa, Tenzi anewe.” 29 Zvakamukangaidza zvikuru kunzwa zvakadai, akashamiswa
nazvo kuti kwaziso iyi inoreveyi. 30 Mutumwa
waMwari ndokupindura oti, “Usatye zvako Maria,
nokuti Mwari afadzwa zvake newe. 31 Chinzwa,
uchava napamuviri pauchapona mwana mukomana
wauchatumidza zita rokuti Jesu. 32 Iye achava
mukuru-mukuru uye achanzi Mwanakomana
woWokumusoro-soro. Tenzi Mwari achamupa chigaro choumambo chababa vake Dhavhidhi.
33 Achatongawo imba yaJakobho narini narini.”
Uyezve umambo hwake hauchazogumi.
34Maria akati kumutumwa, “Izvi zvichazoitika sei
zvandisingazivani nomurume?” 35Mutumwa ndokumupindura achiti, “Mweya Mutsvene achakuburukira, simba roWokumusoro-soro richakufukidza. Naizvozvo mwana wauchapona achanzi
mutsvene, Mwanakomana waMwari. 36Chiona kuti
kana hama yakowo Erizabheti, kunyange zvake
achembera atova napamuviri pomwana mukomana; mwedzi uno watove mwedzi wechitanhatu
kune munhu wainzi imhanje. 37Nokuti pana Mwari
hapana chisingagonekwi.”
38Maria akati, “Onai ndiri murandakadzi waTenzi,
ngazviitwe kuneni sokureva kwenyu.” Mutumwa
ndokubva omusiya oenda zvake.
Shoko Rakanaka raTenzi.

Vhiki yechipiri yokuMuka kwaJesu

Chiverengo chokutanga:
Mabasa 4,32-37

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mubhuku raMabasa Avapositori
32Chikwata chevaitenda vaya vakanga vaine mwoyo
mumwechete, uye hapana aiti chake ndechake.
Zvinhu zvavo zvaiva zvavo vose. 33 Vapositori vakapupurira zvokumuka kwaTenzi Jesu nesimba
guru, uye nyasha huru dzaiva pavari vose.
34 Pakati pavo pakanga pasina ane chaaishaya,
nokuti avo vainge vaine minda kana dzimba dzavo
vaizvitengesa, 35 vachiuya nemari yacho vachizoiisa
mumaoko avapositori, zvichizogoverwa kuvanhu
maererano nezvaidiwa nomunhu.
36 Saizvozvo, Josefi akanga atumidzwa navapositori
zita rokuti, Bhanabhasi (zvinoreva kuti, “Mukurudziri”) muRevhi, 37 mugari wenyika yeSaipurasi,
akatengesa munda wake akauya nemari yacho
akaiisa mumaoko avapositori.
Shoko raTenzi.

Rwiyo rwokutsinhira: Nziyo 93,1-2.5. (D – 1)

(D) – TENZI anotonga, akapfeka ukuru-ukuru.
1 TENZI anotonga akapfeka ukuru-ukuru,
TENZI akapfeka akasunga simba muchiuno.
Nyika yakanyatsoti dzii kumira,
haimbofa yakazunguzwa.
(D) – TENZI anotonga, akapfeka ukuru-ukuru.
2 Chigaro chenyu choushe chakamiswa kubvira
pasichigare.
Imi makanga muripo kubvira chingo nechingo. 5 Zvamunotema ipfirapo imba yenyu TENZI,
chayo utsvene nokusingaperi.
(D) – TENZI anotonga, akapfeka ukuru-ukuru

Kupemberera Shoko Rakanaka:
Johani 3,14-15

Areruya, Areruya. Mwanakomana
womunhu, anofanira kusimudzwawo,
kuti munhu wose anotenda maari awane
upenyu husingaperi. Areruya

Shoko Rakanaka: Johani 3,7b-15

Inzwai Shoko Rakanaka rakanyorwa naJohani
Jesu akati kuna Nikodhimasi,
“Unofanira kuzvarwa patsva.
8 Mhepo inovhuvhuta kwainoda,
unonzwa kuvhuvhuta kwayo,
asi hauzivi kwainobva kana kwainoenda.
Ndizvo zvimwechetezvo nomunhu wose
anoberekwa naMweya.’ ”
9Nikodhimasi akamupindura achiti, “Izvi zvingaitike sei?” Jesu akamupindurawo achiti,
10 “Iwe uri mudzidzisi weIsiraeri kudai,
haunzwisisi zvinhu izvi sei?
11 Zvirokwazvo, zvirokwazvo ndinoti kwauri,
tinotaura zvatinoziva, uye tinopupura zvatakaona,
asi hamugamuchiri uchapupu hwedu.
12 Kana ndikakutaurira nezvepasi hamutendi,
mungatende sei kana ndikataura nezvokudenga.
13 Hapana akambokwira kudenga,
kusiya iye akaburuka achibva kudenga,
mwanakomana womunhu.”
14 “Sokusimudzira nyoka mudenga kwakaita
Mosesi murenje,
saizvozvo Mwanakomana womunhu,
anofanira kusimudzwawo, 15 kuti munhu wose
anotenda maari awane upenyu husingaperi.”
Shoko Rakanaka raTenzi.

SECOND WEEK OF EASTER.

FIRST READING
“One heart and soul.”
ACTS 4: 32 – 37

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. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not any one needy among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 93: 1abc, 1e – 2, 5 (R.) 1a.

R/. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
Or:
Alleluia.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
The Lord has robed himself with might;
he has girded himself with power. R/.

The world you made firm, not to be moved;
your throne has stood firm from of old.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are. R/.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted.
Holiness is fitting to your house,
O Lord, until the end of time. R/.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
John 3: 15

Alleluia.
The Son of man must be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.”
JOHN 3: 7b – 15

At that time: Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘You must be born anew.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 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. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

The Gospel of the Lord

GOSPEL REFLECTION: A “Holy Push”

Nicodemus answered and said to him, ‘How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.” (John 3:9–11)

As we reflected upon yesterday, Nicodemus is one of the only Pharisees who ultimately converted, became a follower of Jesus, and is today considered a saint. The only other Pharisees who were recorded by name as converts to Christianity were Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Acts 15:5 also indicates that some other Pharisees ultimately converted.

When the many encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees are considered as a whole, it’s clear that there was great resistance among them toward Jesus and His teaching. They were constantly seeking to trap Him and, of course, ultimately were responsible for His death, along with other leading religious leaders from the Sanhedrin. For that reason, it’s easy to understand that there must have been great pressure upon all the Pharisees to reject Jesus. Each one of them would have felt the power of peer pressure to act in accord with the general view of Jesus’ condemnation. This is the context of this passage above in which Nicodemus questions Jesus. This passage continues yesterday’s Gospel conversation in which Jesus says clearly to Nicodemus that the way to Heaven is to be “born from above.” Nicodemus questions how one can “be born again,” and then Jesus issues this apparent criticism of Him quoted above.

It’s helpful to understand that Jesus’ criticism was not a condemnation of Nicodemus. It was not in the tone of His normal “Woe to you…” statements; rather, it was a gentle but very direct challenge to Nicodemus so as to move him from his questions to faith. And that’s the key. Nicodemus did not come to Jesus to trap and condemn Him like the other Pharisees did. Nicodemus came because he was confused. And most likely, he was confused because he felt great peer pressure from his fellow Pharisees to condemn Jesus.

Understanding this context should help us understand not only the goodness and courage of Nicodemus but also the loving boldness of Jesus. Jesus knew that Nicodemus was open. He knew that Nicodemus could be won over. But Jesus also knew that Nicodemus needed to be challenged in a direct and firm way. He needed a bit of a “holy push” so as to enter into the gift of faith. Of course, Jesus’ challenge ultimately won Nicodemus over.

Reflect, today, upon any way in which you, too, need a “holy push” from our Lord. What form of worldly pressure do you experience in life? Do friends, neighbors, family members or co-workers impose upon you in some way a peer pressure that is contrary to the life of true holiness? If so, ponder the ultimate courage of Nicodemus, Saint Paul and Gamaliel. Let their witness inspire you and allow our Lord to challenge you where you need it the most so that you, too, will receive the “holy push” that you need to be a more faithful follower of Jesus.

PRAYER:
My Lord of all strength, You are unwavering in Your determination to challenge me in the area that I need it the most. Help me to receive Your gentle rebukes of love when I am weak so that I will have the courage and strength I need to be a faithful follower of You. Give me clarity and understanding, dear Lord, and help me to overcome the misleading pressures of the world. Jesus, I trust in You.