April 2022

READING

JOHN 2:23-3:16 — Nicodemus

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ 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.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?”

Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? 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 but 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.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

MEDITATION – Dr. Andrew Seeley

Nicodemus is identified as a Pharisee and a ruler; Jesus names him a teacher. Nicodemus addresses Jesus as “Rabbi” which is usually translated as Teacher. So a teacher is coming to the Teacher. He came at night, perhaps not wanting to be seen; maybe he was afraid to approach Him in public places during the day. Jesus talks to him about being born again, about baptism, about the Spirit. Nicodemus can only respond, “How can this be?”

Passages like this from John’s Gospel often puzzle me. I find the connection between what is said and what Jesus responds unclear, which invites further reflection, demands further imagination. Jesus knows what is within man. What did He see in Nicodemus’s heart as he said, “We know you are a teacher come from God?” Perhaps a conflict, “We know you are a teacher, but we are not ready to accept you.” Nicodemus says, “We,” yet he comes alone, at night. Where are the others? Why hasn’t he openly proclaimed that Jesus is a teacher come from God?

Nicodemus and his colleagues must be born anew, they must be born of the Spirit, they must learn to know the breezes of the Spirit and follow them. Nicodemus must get past his doubts. He must learn to trust completely in this Teacher who has come from heaven, a lesson he will only learn when Jesus uplifted draws him to the cross.

ExAmen

Have I learned to trust completely in the teachings of the Teacher, as I learn them from the Gospels and from His Church? Have I tried to be aware of the promptings of the Holy Spirit in my work as an educator? Have I prayed for loving courage to help my colleagues who struggle in these areas?

prayer

My Teacher, through Passion and Glorification, renew in me the trusting love of a little child, so that I might confidently share Your teachings with those who most need to hear them.

Please also offer one Mass and one Rosary sometime this month for the intentions of the members of the Confraternity.