Living in Love with God

Nicodemus is a well-respected religious leader, known for his great wisdom. There is something about Jesus that attracts his attention and sparks a curiosity within him. He wants to learn more.  So, we are told by John, he goes to Jesus at night.  He doesn’t want to be seen meeting with Jesus, concerned about what others would say and potential criticism and perhaps even a loss of his status. 

Before we become too critical of Nicodemus, we need to take some time to recognize how we at times are just like him in the Gospel passage today.  We are intrigued by Jesus’ teachings, perhaps curious to know more or inspired by his words and actions.  But we keep our time with Jesus ‘in the dark’.  We are afraid or anxious at times to let it be known that we are Christian, to hide our times of prayer. On our own our fears and anxieties will prevent us from growing in faith and love of Christ.  Hiding our faith in Jesus prevents us from growing in our relationship with Him and prevents us from fulfilling our responsibility to proclaim the Gospel by our words and our lives.

We can look to the example of the apostles in the first reading. They are being criticized and persecuted for their belief in Jesus.  Left on their own they probably would have had the same response as Nicodemus. In fact, after Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion that is exactly what they did: they hid.  In the first reading they bring their concerns and anxieties to prayer. As a result ‘they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.’ (Acts 4:31).  

When we feel anxious about sharing our faith or publicly living it, let us follow the example of the Apostles and turn to the Lord in prayer and allow Him to give us the strength and courage we need.