13-Apr-15

Gospel JN 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.”
Reflection:
I have met people like Nicodemus who believe in God and try to live a good life. They attempt to follow the rules of their particular religion. But, like Nicodemus, they are quietly yearning, hoping for a closer, more personal relationship with God.
They may see something in a friend that touches and attracts them, somehow sensing that the person may be an avenue to know God more closely.
Thirty years ago, not long after joining Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), I, like Nicodemus, met such a friend, a couple of friends actually, who befriended me, a newcomer in AA.
I considered myself Catholic, but in actuality, I had little knowledge of Catholicism or God. However, the spiritual precepts of AA had ignited in me a thirst to know God better.
My friends were sensitive to my spiritual hunger and suggested I consider attending a retreat called Cursillo.
Like Nicodemus, when he visited Jesus, I arrived at the Holy Cross Retreat House at night, filled with both curiosity and apprehension.
That weekend in 1986, the old Jim fell away and I was "born again" in the Spirit. I left Cursillo with a new found purpose in life, a desire to serve God and people and to spread the Good News of God's unconditional love and forgiveness.
I wish I could say my Cursillo spiritual awaking resulted in my living a life that has been perfectly faithful to God. But, "the wind blows where it wills" and God's plan is contingent on my cooperation.
My spiritual journey is replete with pitfalls and potholes but the flame of God's love that I found at Cursillo still burns brightly.
Nicodemus asked, "How can a man once grown old be born again?"
For me, the answer is that being born again is a process. It takes place over the course of a lifetime of seeking God's will in all that I do, recognizing, accepting and working on my imperfections and taking great joy from "Spreading the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ" to all whom I meet.
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8