Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 12, 2021
Psalm 2
1Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?2The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.3"Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."4The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.5Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,6"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."7I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.9You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."10Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.11Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Gospel: John 3.1-8
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
Sermon
In today's Gospel, we encounter a significant conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee. Nicodemus approaches Jesus under the cover of night, acknowledging Him as a teacher sent by God, evidenced by the miraculous signs He performed. Jesus responds by introducing the concept of being "born anew" as a necessity to enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus, perplexed by the literal interpretation of rebirth, prompts Jesus to clarify that this rebirth is not physical but spiritual, achieved through water and the Holy Spirit. Jesus illustrates the Spirit's movement as mysterious and beyond human control, much like the wind.
The context of this passage is crucial. Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, represents the Jewish religious leadership, which was expecting a Messiah to restore Israel. His nocturnal visit suggests a mix of curiosity and caution, perhaps fearing judgment from his peers. Jesus' response shifts the focus from political or nationalistic expectations to a deeply personal and spiritual transformation. This exchange highlights the central Christian doctrine of spiritual rebirth, distinguishing it from physical existence.
In our daily lives, this teaching invites us to seek spiritual renewal. Just as Nicodemus needed to look beyond the physical, we too must embrace the Holy Spirit's transformative power. This spiritual rebirth is not a one-time event but a continuous process of growth and surrender to God's will. It encourages us to trust in His plan, even when it seems mysterious or beyond our understanding. By living according to the Spirit, we experience a profound transformation, enabling us to love, forgive, and serve others as Christ did. Let us, therefore, open our hearts to the Spirit's guidance, embracing the new life offered through faith in Jesus Christ.