“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
New Life in the Risen Christ: A Call to Discipleship
John 3:1-8
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at 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 are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Grace Prayed For
Lord, grant me the grace to be fully born of Your Spirit, to let go of my fears and reservations, and to trust where You are leading me as a disciple of Your Resurrection.
Reflection
Nicodemus approaches Jesus in the secrecy of night, drawn by a longing he cannot yet name. He sees the power of God at work in Jesus but cannot yet grasp its full meaning. In response, Jesus speaks of a new birth—not of the flesh, but of the Spirit—a transformation that opens the heart to the kingdom of God.
The Resurrection of Christ is the fulfillment of this promise. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, so too are we invited to rise into a new life, a life no longer bound by fear, sin, or self-reliance, but animated by the Spirit of God. This is not merely a personal renewal but a call to mission. Being “born from above” means surrendering to the Spirit’s movement, allowing God to work through us in ways we cannot fully understand or control.
Jesus compares the Spirit to the wind—unpredictable, powerful, and free. To be born of the Spirit is to let go of our plans and expectations, stepping into the unknown with trust. This is the essence of discipleship. If we truly believe in the power of the Resurrection, we must allow the Spirit to carry us beyond our comfort zones, beyond our limited vision, and into the world, where hearts are waiting to be awakened to new life.
Like Nicodemus, we may struggle to comprehend this mystery, but Jesus gently invites us deeper. He does not demand instant understanding, only a heart open to the Spirit’s leading. Are we willing to surrender to this divine wind? Are we ready to go wherever the Spirit sends us, bringing the light of the Resurrection into the darkness of the world?
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
Jesus speaks personally to Nicodemus, inviting him to deeper understanding and a new way of life. This passage reminds us that Jesus meets us where we are—whether in our questions, doubts, or fears—and patiently calls us into a deeper relationship with Him. As we surrender to the Spirit, we grow in intimacy with Christ, trusting Him as our guide and source of new life.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post