Gospel: John
3:7b-15
Jesus
said to Nicodemus: “‘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.”
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Reflection:
Who is
Nicodemus and how does his situation relates with us? He is a Pharisee, a secret faithful follower
of Jesus; He visited Jesus during night time (John 3:1–21). Nicodemus also
appeared after the Crucifixion of Jesus to provide the embalming ingredients for
the body of Jesus. He also assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body
of Jesus (John 19:39–42).
Like
Nicodemus we too should become a faithful follower of Jesus. A follower who doesn’t
keep any secrets. A true follower in words and in deeds and a follower who will
stay with Jesus no matter how strong the temptation to betray him.
We should
aspire to become a modern day Nicodemus who will silently support Jesus. Who
will silently work for Jesus and who
will do things for Jesus even outside of the glare of lights. This is the
challenge before us who are following Jesus.
But are
we really His true followers? Or we are followers in good times only but when
the testing of our faith comes we easily betray Jesus in favor of the
temptation. Are we also followers who
are ever ready to leave behind everything in favor of Jesus? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
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