DAILY GRACE
April 20, 2020, Monday in the Second Week of Easter
Hello Everyone!
Easter is the most important celebration in the life of the Church. It’s so important that the Easter season lasts fifty days, and every Sunday of the year is a renewed celebration of the resurrection. The Gospel readings during the Easter season are taken mainly from the Gospel of John, according to a tradition that goes back to the first centuries of the Church. With these bits of “Daily Grace”, we are invited into this tradition of prolonged meditation on the deep joy of Easter. As I’ve mentioned before, we are practicing in these devotions Lectio Divina (holy reading), which is a way of praying the Scripture. Many methods of Lectio Divina have developed since the time of early monasticism. We are using here a simple framework that allows the word of God to make room in our minds and hearts. As the Gospels were written, so we read them — in the light of the Easter candle.
Wishing you all the peace and joy of the Lord,
Pastor Dave
Scripture: 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 Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Nicodemus was an honest and sincere man who searched for the truth. He had a certain drive within him. He didn’t let his hunger for truth fall by the wayside, nor did he forget about it because it seemed too difficult to understand. Instead he searched for Jesus at night. Why at night? Doesn’t this seem like an odd time? Perhaps Nicodemus, a Pharisee, didn’t want to be seen publicly with Jesus, lest it appear he was a disciple. Hostility to Jesus was growing. In John’s Gospel, night can symbolize the darkness of unbelief. In this scene, Jesus, the Light of the world, gently draws Nicodemus into the light of faith. Nicodemus has gone to see this special rabbi whom he admires but whose teachings leave him perplexed. He wants to sit with Jesus and ask all his questions.
And Jesus listens with love and patience. Nicodemus feels at ease and asks questions that might even appear foolish: “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” With what transparency and trust he pours out his soul to Jesus! And Jesus’ response is thought provoking: “What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Jesus is comfortable and honest with Nicodemus. It is a true encounter of love.
What about the uncertainty, frustration, and problems I face? Do I bring these to Jesus and trust that he will untangle the knots in my daily life? In every time of life, and certainly in this time of coronavirus, Jesus wants to restore calm and peace to our lives and lead us to the truth. Maybe I need to find time in may day to be alone with him. It doesn’t have to be a special place or hour but simply a quiet, calm, and trusting space. Nicodemus found his in the darkness of night. And the darkness brought forth light.
Prayer
Lord, so often I become overwhelmed by the busyness of my day. At the end of the day I feel exhausted. I try to forget the problems, fall asleep, and then I take up the same routine the next day. Help me find what is most important. Inspire me to find time alone with you, so that like Nicodemus I may remain in your presence and learn from you the true meaning of life.
Contemplation
In the peace and quiet even of darkness, true light awaits.