By Naresh Namindla csc –
Readings: Acts 4:32-37; Jn 3: 7-15
In today’s gospel reading, we see the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Jesus tells Nicodemus, ‘Unless you are born anew you will not understand the heavenly things.’
In fact, the disciples of Christ were like Nicodemus: though Nicodemus was not a follower of Christ, yet he knew of Christ and his ministry. Out of curiosity, he wanted to know how it was possible for Jesus to do such things in his mission. Like Nicodemus, the disciples too witnessed Jesus doing his ministry of proclaiming, healing, and
doing miracles.
But the disciples could not understand why he was doing it. Later Jesus cautioned his disciples by foretelling about his passion but still the disciples were like bystanders, not understanding the meaning of it.
The disciples fully understood the ministry of Jesus only after experiencing the risen Lord who appeared to them in a closed room. Their experience of Jesus in a closed room is an event of being born anew for them. This being born anew resulted in today’s first reading. This being born anew transformed their life. They changed their lifestyle and began to live in a community.
They shared everything in common. Together as a community, they give witness to the risen Lord. Therefore, today’s liturgy invites us to experience the spirit of the risen Lord. This experience of the risen Lord brings transformation in our lives.
Thus, as Christians we grow as one community being witnesses to one another.