Monday 20 April

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Today is Monday the 20 April, in the Season of Easter.  

The community of Taizé sing De noche iremos: ‘By night we search for the source of living water.  It is only our thirst that guides our way.’   This time of prayer is an opportunity to quench that thirst a little - my thirst for God, the source of life - a chance to drink from the spring, from the source of living water, and be refreshed.  

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.  

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He 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.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus 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?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The 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.’ (John 3:1-8)

In today’s passage, John tells us that Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus “by night”. Why might that have been necessary, do you think? What does it suggest to you about the atmosphere in which this meeting takes place?  

Nicodemus points to the signs that Jesus has done as evidence that he comes from God. What signs are there to convince you that Jesus is worth following?  

Nicodemus is confused when Jesus talks about being “born from above”. Perhaps this kind of talk confuses you as well! It looks as though becoming a follower of Jesus leads you into some kind of new life, life in the Spirit. What has your own experience of that new life been?  

Towards the end of this passage, Jesus uses the image of a wind that blows freely. As you listen again, consider what this image might mean.   You yourself are one of those who has been “born of the Spirit”.

Speak for a moment or two to God about what this means to you. Or ask him to show you what being “born of the Spirit” means.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.