You must be born from above

Readings: 1st: Acts 4:23-31; Ps: 2; Gos John 3:1-8

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com. 

Today is Monday, in the second week of Easter. Today’s Gospel presents an interesting conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. He represents a group of Jews who were pious and sincere, but did not understand what Jesus was doing.

He was a cultured person, who thought he believed the things of God. So, having heard about the signs and the wonderful things that Jesus did, he was amazed, and wanted to speak with Jesus in order to understand him better.

Nicodemus was curious and expected the Messiah with much anxiety. Unfortunately, he had his hidden perspective about the Messiah he was expecting. However, Jesus made him understand that the only way to understand the things of God is to be born again.

Today, this same thing happens. Some, like Nicodemus, accept as new only what agrees with their ideas. What does not agree with their ideas is rejected and considered contrary to tradition.

Today, we hear many people parade themselves as born again. What do they really mean? Do they understand what Christ meant when he said that someone must be “born again?” Nicodemus thought it was entering the one’s mother’s womb again.

Like Nicodemus, many of us have missed the mark. For some, it simply means changing their church. For others, it means being able to quote the bible. For some, it means being very rigid, without bothering how it affects others. To be born again is not a life to be lived “alone” or selfishly, in search of my personal salvation.

To be born again means, a sincere transformation. It means living the Christian values charitably. It means building a better relationship both with God and humanity. It means, a complete inward transformation of one’s whole being (Rom 12: 1-2). It means looking up to God, and depending totally on him, while not neglecting my neighbor and my environment.

May God transform, so that we may be worthy of his kingdom. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!