27/04/2022

Nicodemus has been drawn to the Lord by what he has heard and seen. He is afraid because he knows that the Temple does not approve of this wandering rabbi from Galilee and so comes to Jesus secretly in the night. John's retelling of this event must be from Nicodemus or Jesus himself. Jesus tells Nicodemus directly that the Father sent the Son to enable humanity to be saved from its sinful nature and to live in the light of God.The words he heard that night must have stayed with Nicodemus for he it is who helps with the burial of Jesus' corpse. 

The disciples had been dispersed by the crucifixion but brought back together in witnessing the risen Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit to have the power to preach even in the Temple itself. The people who listened to them must have been convinced of the truth that they told as the Sanhedrin was afraid to move in public against them in the Temple.

Jesus told Nicodemus that in this world we have to believe to be able to share in the eternal life of God. Our lives do not end with death. Jesus has shown us the way to live in the light of the Love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit but there were many then who preferred the darkness of evil. 

In today's world,  Jesus' words seem to have been reversed for it is evil that boasts and flourishes in the light and the good that has it head down. I have not made the efforts that I could to bear public witness to God's truth and although I record these thoughts and prayers I am too nervous of criticism to really publish them out loud.

Dear Lord let me always be ready to receive your grace and to do your will in this world. Let me not be afraid and have the courage to challenge the lies that this world abounds in. Please show me the way and let evil be rebutted. Let my prayers for the sick and suffering join those of Mary and all the saints and may the Holy Spirit calm the inward turmoil in which many of us live.