John 3:1-8

Acts 4:23-31

Psalm 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for the gift of rebirth. I have been reborn of water and the Spirit and now live under your reign. You are my king and my Lord. Grant me your Spirit so that I may serve faithfully.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Rabbinic Riddles with Nicodemus the Pharisee: In the context of Jesus’ first Passover pilgrimage during his public ministry, Nicodemus sought Jesus out. Nicodemus heard about what Jesus taught around Galilee and the signs Jesus performed in that same region. While some of the Pharisees objected and condemned Jesus’ words and actions, Nicodemus judged with some of the other Pharisees and “rulers of the Jews” that  Jesus was a “rabbi” who had come from God. They also determined that God was “with Jesus.” As a good rabbi, Jesus employs riddles in his teaching. This was a technique that invited listeners and students to ponder what was being proposed and didn’t try to forcefully impose something upon the listeners. Instead of going around Galilee saying to everyone, “I am God,” Jesus used rabbinic riddles to invite his listeners to make an act of faith in him and his divinity. Jesus referred to himself as the “Son of Man,” and this invited his listeners to ponder the meaning of the prophet Daniel’s vision and how Jesus related to that vision.

2. The Riddle of Spiritual Rebirth: In his encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus didn’t say, “You need to be baptized with water and invoke the name of the Trinity to be incorporated into the Church.” Instead, he used riddles and words with multiple levels of meaning. He tells Nicodemus, “You need to be born again,” which could also mean, “You need to be born from above.” He also says, “You need to be born of water and the Spirit.” When Nicodemus said that a person couldn't reenter the womb and be born again, Jesus didn’t respond by saying, “I’m sorry that I wasn’t clear earlier. When I said to be born again or from above, I meant that a person needs to be spiritually reborn through the first of seven sacraments that I will institute. Sacraments are visible signs that effectively communicate invisible grace. While circumcision was the sign that incorporated a man into the Old Covenant people of Israel, Baptism will be the sign that incorporates a person into the New Covenant people of God.” Instead, Jesus sticks with the riddles to engage Nicodemus and invite him to faith.

3. The Riddle of Water and Spirit: Jesus’ words to Nicodemus are full of allusions and references to the Old Testament. He speaks to Nicodemus about what is needed to see and enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God was a major theme of Jesus’ preaching and teaching in Galilee. In the Book of Exodus, Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise to the Lord for delivering them from the Egyptians. They prayed: “May the Lord reign forever and ever” (Exodus 15:18). Entering the Kingdom of God means being delivered not from a political power like the Egyptians but being delivered from the slavery of sin and the fear of death. Water and Spirit are likewise found throughout the Old Testament, with the Spirit hovering over the waters at the dawn of creation. This highlights how Baptism, rebirth through water and the Spirit, brings about a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I see how much you enjoy riddles. My own life is a riddle, with twists and turns, ups and downs, light and darkness. Guide me always to the truth about myself and who I am, so that I may enjoy eternal life with you and the Father and the Spirit.

Living the Word of God: How do I engage with the riddles of life? Have I pondered the mystery of evil in the world and taken the mystery to prayer? Why do the just and the innocent suffer? What trials and suffering has God permitted in my life? Why?