Meditation for April 15, 2010

Scripture: Lectionary # 270. April 15. Acts 5:27-33. Psalm 34:2,9,
17-18,19-20. John 3:31-36:

We come to the end of the evening of dialogue and sharing with Nicodemus
and Jesus. Jesus now breaks into a succinct monologue which serves as a
summary of all that has been said since the night encounter with this
leading Pharisee. The monologue also takes the listener and reader to a
deeper level of contact with the living word of God as John presents it
through the mouth of Jesus. For Nicodemus this encounter at night was a
moving experience that we lead him eventually to being a disciple of the
Lord. If we listen carefully we can hear the following names or
titles--Father, Son, Spirit; then other expressions fill in the context of
the monologue: word, gift, eternal life. These can enrich our meditation
this day by simply recalling them in moments of relaxation or rest.

Psalm 34 appears again as our Responsorial Psalm. We hear the words "taste
and see the goodness of the Lord." At first, some translations omit the
expression "taste" and use the word "consider." The use of our senses
while meditating is important especially when we reflect upon the Gospels.
A Jewish commentator shows us that the literal meaning of the Hebrew word
is "taste". He tells us, "Consider or literally "taste", a significant
word. More effective than theorizing about God's goodness. God's goodness
is the testof experience. Only by encountering it in one's life can it be
really known."

Returning to the Gospel we hear Jesus speaking of his experience of coming
from above; he promises eternal life to those who believe in him. He tells
us that the Spirit is superabundant in generously pouring out gifts to the
believing disciples. Thus all of chapter three is worthwhile reading over
again as we finish with the monologue. The context will lead us to
thoughts of our own baptism and those who have been baptized recently at
the Easter Vigil. We are reminded also earlier in the chapter of our being
united to Jesus as we look upon him lifted up and returning to the Father.
This is the Passion-Death-Resurrection section of the chapter and the
example of the bronze serprent led us to follow Jesus' thought and
promises. By using this monologue and rereading the whole chapter during
the day or at night, we can ponder over and realize how good God is and how
much we are loved by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. Alleuiah.