GOSPEL REFLECTION, MONDAY, 2ND WEEK OF EASTER, 28 APRIL 2025

John 3:1-8.  Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, went to Jesus by night, likely so that he would not be observed doing so.  One of the duties of the Sanhedrin was to deal with anyone suspected of being a false prophet or claiming to be messiah.  In this light, it was dangerous for Nicodemus to consort with Jesus at all.  But as someone has said, he came in darkness seeking the light that Jesus could bring.  His meeting with Jesus was very polite for he was very much impressed with his miracles and teachings, again a surprise, for the Pharisees at large were determined that Jesus should die.  We meet Nicodemus again at Jesus’ trial where he insisted on a point of law ensuring fair treatment for Jesus.  He was one of the people who brought Jesus down from the cross and he made sure that Jesus’ body was well treated, wrapped in costly spices, and Nicodemus had Jesus buried in a tomb that had been prepared for himself.  He stood in an extraordinary relationship to Jesus.

When Nicodemus came to Jesus he said ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who came from God, and no one could do and say what Jesus said apart from God’s presence,’ a remarkable stamen of faith.  Jesus answered that ‘no one could see the Kingdom of God without being born again from above,’ which may have astounded Nicodemus.  He asked Jesus ‘is that even possible?’  How can someone be born again?  Jesus meant that such a birth was a spiritual rebirth, a whole revitalisation of one’s inner being.  That is exactly where lies our spiritual identity in  Christ.  Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be ‘born from above’ – reborn by the Holy Spirit from above.  But Nicodemus asked again how this could be? 

Nicodemus, like many people, had come a considerable way in understanding Jesus but had not fully comprehended his teaching.  We heard the gospel proclaimed yesterday of ‘doubting Thomas’ resurrection encounter with Jesus in which he came to full faith in him.  Nicodemus had not reached that point, but after all, Nicodemus had not met the risen Lord.  We are reminded that faith and trust in the Paschal Mystery, all of it, is the essential core of the Church’s faith  and of our own personal faith.