Readings:
Acts 4: 23-31
John 3:1-8
Reflection:
Jesus came not to just purify our hearts but to soften and warm them so that they may be able to receive the word of God. Softened by the rain of his grace, and warmed by the sun of his love, the seeds of God’s word can take root in our hearts, and turn them from a desert into a garden. (Gospel of the heart by Flor McCarthy SDB)
While Nicodemus came to Jesus looking for a deeper knowledge and understanding of the traditions of his Jewish tradition, Jesus took him to a level of faith beyond what he sought.
The image Jesus used of a person being born from above confused Nicodemus. The only birth he knew of was being born into human flesh. To be born of the spirit suggested to him that a person can go back and start again in life. This was totally beyond his comprehension. Jesus in talking about being born through water and the spirit was taking him to a new understanding of the words and actions of the prophets and leaders of former times.
The waters of the Red Sea bringing freedom to a people living in slavery Ex151-22: the waters from the rock at Massah and Meribah quench the thirst of the chosen people in their despair. Ex 17:1-7: the spring of living water flowing from the temple bringing new life was spoken of by the prophet Ezekiel Ez 47:1-12. While Nicodemus knew these scriptures, Jesus was using the image of water to soften and warm his heart so that he may come to understand the word of God as life giving..
Jesus speaks of the wind as a presence of God. Wind is not seen, yet it is heard, it is felt. Where it comes from and where it goes to is not known. 1 Kings 19:9-14. Elijah lives through the violence of a wind, an earthquake and fire. Yet he finds God in the gentle breeze. Jesus is showing Nicodemus where to look in his quest to come to know God. He introduces Nicodemus to the softening rain of God’s grace and the warmth of the Sun of God’s love. As he does this Jesus takes the seed of God’s word and enables it to take root in Nicodemus’ heart.
Ultimately Jesus turns Nicodemus’ searching from one of knowing to one of loving from a desert place to a garden where new life can be found. The garden is where he and Joseph of Arimathaea place the body of Jesus after his death upon the cross. Through Jesus Nicodemus found the way into eternal life.
May a reflection of the faith journey of Nicodemus inspire us to continue our resurrection journey with Christ as our Guide.
Peter Addicoat CP. Member of St Joseph community Hobart