Thursday in Second Week of Easter, April 19,2007

Scripture: Acts 5:27-33. Psalm 34. John 3:31-36. Lectionary # 270

John the Evangelist gives us a good summary of the last two scenes in which
Jesus discourses and monologues with Nicodemus. As we now know, it is a
question of the Johannine Community reflecting upon the importance of the
sacrament of Baptism seen in the point of view of the author. This point
of view is to have the reader be a committed believer in the person of
Jesus. The first part of John's Gospel emphasizes this in the various
scenes, discourses, and events that are recorded from a theological point
of view centering on faith. Chapter three, as we have seen, is centered on
faith through our baptism. In reflecting upon this, I was helped to see
the ongoing role of baptism in my life. Since the Second Vatican Council,
baptism has become more prominent in our liturgical celebrations especially
during this season of Easter; the readings likewise help us to understand
its importance in our lives. We are committed to the Word, the symbolism
of the water and invocation of the Trinity. John mentions the Holy Spirit
in today's summary statement and has also referred to the Spirit earlier.
God gives us the Spirit through God's love relationship to the Son. We are
baptized into the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We sign
ourselves and bless others with this signing. The intimacy between the
Father and the Son is so great that it is the Holy Spirit who is the love
of God for the Son and the Son for the Father. I take great hope from this
wonderful chapter three which introduces Nicodemus as a searcher who will
eventually become a disciple. The summary statement ends with a promise of
eternal life if we follow closely and effectively the discourse Jesus has
shared with us through Nicodemus. I concluded meditating on this with the
prayer said after Communion for the Eucharist of today: "Lord, you restored
us to life by raising Christ from death. Strengthen us by this Easter
Sacrament; may we feel its saving power in our daily life. Amen."