April 18 2021

First Reading

Romans 7:14-25

For we know that the law is spiritual. But I am carnal, having been sold under sin. For I

do things that I do not understand. For I do not do the good that I want to do. But the

evil that I hate is what I do. So, when I do what I do not want to do, I am in agreement

with the law, that the law is good. But I am then acting not according to the law, but

according to the sin which lives within me. For I know that what is good does not live

within me, that is, within my flesh. For the willingness to do good lies close to me, but

the carrying out of that good, I cannot reach. For I do not do the good that I want to do.

But instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I am not willing to

do, it is no longer I who am doing it, but the sin which lives within me. And so, I discover

the law, by wanting to do good within myself, though evil lies close beside me. For I am

delighted with the law of God, according to the inner man. But I perceive another law

within my body, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me with the law of

sin which is in my body. Unhappy man that I am, who will free me from this body of

death? The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord! Therefore, I serve the law of God with

my own mind; but with the flesh, the law of sin.

Second Reading

1 John 4:18-21

Fear is not in love. Instead, perfect love casts out fear, for fear pertains to punishment.

And whoever fears is not perfected in love. Therefore, let us love God, for God first loved

us. If anyone says that he loves God, but hates his brother, then he is a liar. For he who

does not love his brother, whom he does see, in what way can he love God, whom he

does not see? And this is the commandment that we have from God, that he who loves

God must also love his brother.

Gospel

John 3:1-13

Now there was a man among the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 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." 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." 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?" 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. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what

is born of the Spirit is spirit. You should not be amazed that I said to you: You must be

born anew. 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." Nicodemus responded and said to him, "How are these things able to be

accomplished?" Jesus responded and said to him: "You are a teacher in Israel, and you

are ignorant of these things? Amen, amen, I say to you, that we speak about what we

know, and we testify about what we have seen. But you do not accept our testimony. If I

have spoken to you about earthly things, and you have not believed, then how will you

believe, if I will speak to you about heavenly things? And no one has ascended to

heaven, except the one who descended from heaven: The Son of man who is in heaven.