by Kenny Soosai
Readings:
Deut 9:13-21, Heb 3:12-19, John 2:23-3:15
Gospel:
While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in
his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust
himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify
about human nature. He himself understood it well.
Now
there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at
night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come
from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with
him." Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no
one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
Nicodemus
said to him, "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he
cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus
answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God
without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what
is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be
born from above.'
The
wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, 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 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. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how
will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to
heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And
just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be
lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
Reflection:
In the Gospel, the recurring theme of faith or lack of faith continues. At the
beginning of the passage, we read about the ones who witnessed the miracles but
who do not understand it. For these people, faith depends on what they can see.
Then
we are introduced to Nicodemus who is a member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Court).
He comes to Jesus under the cover of night, which could mean that he did not
want to be openly seen with Jesus. This could also represent spiritual
blindness. Jesus then attempts to explain spiritual matters to Nicodemus and
about the need to be born again from above (Baptism). Jesus also goes on to
refer to the bronze serpent in the Old Testament (Num 21:4-9). Just as the
serpent had the power to heal when it was lifted up in the desert, Jesus
alludes to His death on the cross which has the power to heal and save those who
believe.
For
me as a Christian, faith does not always come easily. I tend to want to believe
with my eyes rather than my heart. I want to see how God will make a way for me
rather than trust His provision along the journey. I say to God, “Do this for
me first and when I see the miracle then I will trust and follow”. But when I
care to listen, I hear God say “Follow me and I will provide everything that
you need”.
A
Step to Consider: Take a moment to be silent and gaze upon the cross. As we
struggle with the difficulties in modern life, the stress at work and the
demands of family life, do we try to overcome by our own strengths or do we
turn to God in prayer? Where do we go to seek a solution?
We
can trust that the One who gave His life on the cross for you and me only wants
the best for us.
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