Reflection: John 3:1-8

Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter – John 3:1-8

Today Nicodemus approaches Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and also a ruler of the Jews. He did not want the Jews to know that he wanted to talk with Jesus. Thus, Nicodemus decided he would approach Jesus at night. Hopefully, the darkness would help him be anonymous!

Nicodemus said to Jesus that he did understand that Jesus was a teacher who had come from God. The wonders and signs that Jesus had done had convinced Nicodemus to believe in Jesus as one who was sent from God. There was no other explanation for Jesus’ power and ability to heal the sick and raise the dead!

Jesus then tells Nicodemus that anyone who desired to enter the Kingdom of God would have to be born of water and the Spirit. Nicodemus asked Jesus how anyone could be born again? This was impossible! Jesus, however, was speaking of being born of the spirit! There are two different births: one of the flesh and one of the spirit.

Have you been “born” of the Spirit? Can you remember a time in your life when you experienced new life and grace and you sensed you had been “born again?” It may have been during a retreat, Cursillo, the birth of a child, or finding a job after many months of searching. Or it may have been as simple as experiencing the new life of spring. Wondrous gifts may be amazing or they may be simple gifts.

Do you long to be reborn at this time in your life? If so, ask Jesus to “create new life” in you. If we do, perhaps Jesus will gift us with what we desire. However, we need to keep our minds and hearts open! Jesus most often works in subtle ways, not fireworks! And the gifts we receive may not be the gifts we had hoped for. We actually may receive gifts that are much greater than we ever would have asked for!