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“You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?
Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify
to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.
If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will
you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” John
3:10–12
Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, a
respected Pharisee who came to Jesus at night. Nicodemus began by
professing a small amount of faith in Jesus: “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” (John 3:2).
Perhaps he expected Jesus to be pleased by this acknowledgment, but
Jesus, desiring the complete conversion of Nicodemus’ soul, went
deeper.
Their conversation focused on Jesus’ statement, “You must be born
from above.” This theme recurs throughout their dialogue, forming
the backdrop of today’s Gospel. Jesus gently encouraged Nicodemus
to move beyond amazement toward a faith made possible only by
openness to the Holy Spirit.
Like Nicodemus, many of us approach God in prayer with an initial
or superficial faith. We acknowledge Jesus’ divinity, but this is
only the starting point. Once we make that first step, Jesus
invites us further, challenging us to delve into divine mysteries
with hearts open to grace.
Jesus’ question, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not
understand this?” signals both a challenge and an invitation.
Unlike the harsh rebukes He gave to those who approached with
skepticism and disdain, His tone with Nicodemus was firm yet
compassionate. Without condemning Nicodemus, Jesus exposed his
limited understanding and called him to greater openness to the
truth of Jesus’ identity and His divine mission.
This call to deeper understanding must resonate with us. Jesus
invites us to look beyond the surface, beyond what our eyes can
see, to the divine mysteries He reveals. He alludes to His
crucifixion and His messianic identity when He says, “And just as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man
be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal
life” (John 3:14–15). This revelation, veiled and profound, speaks
of the mystery of salvation—Jesus, both God and man, being lifted
up on the Cross, shedding His blood so that all who believe in Him
may attain eternal life.
Why does Jesus speak in mysteries? Because the truths He shares can
only be fully grasped when we listen to the Holy Spirit within us,
guiding and enlightening our souls. Just as the invisible wind can
be felt, so too does the Holy Spirit move in our lives, unseen, yet
powerful and transformative.
Reflect today on how you might be like Nicodemus. The good news is
that this Pharisee, once hesitant and questioning, ultimately grew
in faith and is commemorated as a saint in the Roman Martyrology on
August 31. Like him, we are called to move beyond the surface and
deepen our openness to the Holy Spirit. Where in your life can you
seek deeper understanding and greater surrender to God’s mysterious
work? Resolve to listen more intently and to be guided by the
Spirit so that you might comprehend the divine mysteries and
believe with greater conviction.
Lord of all Mysteries, I profess my faith in You. You are my God
and my Savior. Only through You—through Your Life, Death, and
Resurrection—can I be saved. I profess that I must be born from
above by the Spirit so as to share in eternal life. Please
strengthen my faith so that I will more fully comprehend and
believe all You desire to reveal to me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Jesus and Nicodemus
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