Gospel – John 3: 1-8
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by 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 do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass Intention is for Sheila Sweeny RIP
Reflection:
Nicodemus was seeking to know who Jesus was. He went by night, probably because, being a Pharisee, he was afraid to do this openly. Yet Jesus welcomed him and took him very seriously. I too, and people I know, may be seeking after the truth yet afraid of doing this openly because of what others might think of us. We can be just like Nicodemus. We can be fearful, because we really don’t want people seeing the real me! What if people know that I believe in the person of Jesus, will they make a laugh of me? Will they scorn me? Will they ridicule me, because I am baptised into the life of Jesus!
In the gospel passage above Jesus, is speaking with Nicodemus and telling him that it is essential for a person to be baptised and to live out their faith in order to be saved.
- My friends we should never tire of seeking Jesus out and discovering anew each day in our own baptism who Jesus is for ME!
