Reflection for April 13 Monday of the Second Week of Easter: John 3:1-8

Gospel: John 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at 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 are doing unless God is with him.” 

Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘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.”

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Reflection:

Who is Nicodemus?

Nicodemus is a follower who longs for a deeper meaning in his discipleship with Jesus. Like him, we too find ourselves searching—yearning for something more, something that gives true purpose to our lives. In His loving wisdom, Jesus offers a simple yet profound invitation: to be born again.

How can we be born again when we have already been born? We know that this is not a physical rebirth. Rather, it is a transformation of the heart—a renewal of our inner life. To be born again is to enter into a new way of living, a life filled with purpose, grace, and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

But how do we begin this new life? We are called to let go of the things that weigh us down—our greed, our self-centeredness, and every sin that distances us from God. This is not always easy, but it is necessary. When we surrender these to the Lord, we make room for His love to transform us, to renew us, and to guide us toward a life that truly matters.

When we allow ourselves to be born again in Christ, the blessings do not stop with us. We are renewed, our families are touched by grace, and those around us begin to see the light of Christ in the way we live, love, and serve. Our transformation becomes a quiet testimony of God’s goodness.

Today, the Lord gently invites us to begin again—to open our hearts and allow Him to make all things new within us.

Will we surrender our old selves and allow the Lord to transform us into the new life He is offering us today?—Marino J. Dasmarinas