Faith Daily | 25 April 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 505

Almighty God,

whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life

of all who put their trust in him:

raise us, we pray, from the death of sin

to the life of righteousness;

that we may ever seek the things which are above,

where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: John 3: 1-8

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by 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 do apart from the presence of God.’ 3Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ 4Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.*7Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Maggie Woolley

Nicodemus was certainly curious about this fellow Jesus who performed miracles and had many followers. He'd heard too about Jesus's teaching, some of which no doubt would have been confronting - and yet he was still curious.

It's not clear why Nicodemus went to Jesus at night. Perhaps he simply couldn't find him during the day, or he just didn't want to be seen with Him. After all, as a Pharisee he wasn't supposed to be fraternising with the motley individuals who followed Jesus.

However, Nicodemus by his own admission, concedes that God must have sent Jesus because of the miracles He had performed and he was certainly wanting to know more.

Nicodemus was even more curious when Jesus told him that no one can see the kingdom of God until they are born again. How was that possible when you have become an adult? He was thinking literally and physically. Jesus went on to explain using the analogy of the wind, something we feel and not see - as with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is teaching that besides our biological birth, we must also experience a supernatural, spiritual birth to enable us to feel the fulness and richness of God's love. The Gospel challenges us to be 'born anew' and calls us to have a radical change in our hearts.

By our baptism we become part of the body Christ and are encouraged to be curious like Nicodemus - to seek out the Holy Spirit and be 'born again' by its power.

FINAL PRAYER

Dear Holy Spirit

On this day, we remember those who have served for our freedom. Your work is the wind of God and we give thanks that we live to enjoy that privilege. May we all feel the comfort of your mighty and mysterious power.

Amen