Tuesday in the Second Week of the Easter Season
(Art Work Georgetown.edu)
We continue reflecting on the meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus. In the part of the Gospel we read today, it seems Nicodemus accepts Jesus' rebirth proposition. However, the Pharisee wants to know how this happens.
Jesus speaks of his own relationship with the Father. What he preaches and teaches is not just his own words. What he says comes from the Father. To understand these words we must have faith in the Father's Son. We must see Jesus as the living Word of God. To do this we must live lives of love for God and one another.
As mentioned yesterday, what Nicodemus seeks and what we desire on our spiritual journey toward Pentecost is openess to what Jesus teaches. We have to take the time to listen to what Jesus says and to listen to the movements of the Holy Spirit in our lives. One commentator on John's gospel has noted that openess is accepted and believed fully by some. Others, however, find disappointment or disagreement with what Jesus speaks and walk away from him. The same commentator suggests considering the parable of the sower and asks "To which group do I belong?"
We have to remember that Jesus came to us from his place with the Father. He has been with the Father in heaven. What he speaks is more than just an idea that comes to his mind. He is truly a model of sharing: he shares with us the message of the Father.
So, we must truly place our focus on Jesus not just in crisis moments but, in all honesty, all that we do each day of our lives should spring from the way that we look upon Jesus and what he teaches. He has come to this earth to be the source of life to those followers who are willing to commit themselves totally to him.
We might ask ourselves a simple question in our reflection as we journey: How is it that we look at Jesus? Is it just a passing glance when his name is mentioned or appears on a printed page? Is it only when there are certain moments in our lives such as Christmas morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday or regular Sunday Masses?
Should we not have a short prayer we keep in mind that we can recall when a space opens in our thinking or our working where we can redirect our thoughts and our petitions to be directed to how we can turn our actions and thoughts into goodness by letting them arise from the thoughts of Him?
