May 2, Lectionary # 267

Scripture: Lectionary 267. Acts 4:23-31. Psalm 2:1-3.4-6.7-9. John 3:1-8:

This week we return to a series of readings from the Gospel of John. We
have been enjoying the Resurrection narratives and the peace and joy they
bring us. Now we turn to the great sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist.
John's Gospel will be our scriptural reading for the coming week. Today we
start with the encounter of Nicodemus with Jesus which turns into a
dialogue with this member of the Sanhedrin who secretly admires Jesus and
comes to him at night. This is the first of several dialogues that Jesus
will have in the Fourth Gospel.

In the dialogue and narrative we hear of God, the Spirit, and of course,
Jesus who is speaking about them in the discourse he gives Nicodemus about
Baptism. Fr. George W. MacRae, S.J. has this important insight into
Nicodemus:
"True faith comes from seeing God's revelation in Jesus, and though that
can be seen in the signs if they are understood properly, it comes primaril
through Jesus' revealing word. Thus the ambiguity of Nicodemus. He comes to
Jesus secretly with a faith, or at least a curiosity, based on signs
alone, but he does not seem able to accept the revealing word with which
Jesus challenges him." (Invitation to John, p. 55). We can reflect
personally on Nicodemus by following his trace left in the Fourth Gospel.
He is present in John 7:50-52; in 19:39, and possibly is understood behind
what is said in John 12: 42-43. He may represent those who are
crypto-believers; not sure, wavering, yet somehow "hanging in there."

Though the Evangelist is more interested in the theological theme of God's
revelation through Jesus, we take this Gospel in its liturgical context
(liturgical theology) and see it as a way of helping us to understand
Baptism in the name of God, Spirit, and Jesus.

Though many like to use the expression "being born again" the expression
"being born from above" is more in line with the Fourth Gospel. Fr. MacRae
tells us, "Strictly speaking, Jesus could mean either one here, though
"born from above" better fits the thought of the Fourth Gospel. But
Nicodemus is not open to the symbolic meaning and stays at the level of
incredulity about being born a second time." (p.56). Nicodemus' name is
also symbolic and it means "Victor of the People." We, at the time of our
Baptism, receive a new name--the name of one from above!-- a saint's name.

Throughout this Easter Season we will have many occasions for renewing our
Baptism through the creed and through the sprinkling rite with holy water
at the beginning of the liturgy. We are being called to a daily renewal of
that baptismal commitment and to a metanoia or change of our mindset and
its patterns of doubt and wavering faith. We are to harken to the
transformation in Christ that we embrace at Baptism when we were born above
to where we are ultimately destined. We may think of our baptismal renewal
as "being born" again each day. Jesus has revealed to us these words:
"Spirit begets spirit. Do not be surprised that I tell you you must all be
begotten from above...by water and the spirit." Amen. Alleluiah!