Scripture:
Reflection:
Hello Nicodemus!
We are with Nicodemus, the man who first came to Jesus at night. He moves from darkness to the light, faith in Jesus. He will grow to accept a “gift from above”; he will look upon the Son of Man lifted up; with Joseph of Arimathea he places Jesus in a tomb sealing in its darkness, a darkness chosen by men because of wicked deeds. Nicodemus’ faith grew. As a follower of Jesus he touched the Cross and was enveloped by the light, the light that burst forth Easter morning.
‘No one has gone up to heaven except the One who came down from there…who must be lifted up, so that all who believe may have eternal life in him.’
We can identify with Nicodemus as we grow in faith, navigating ourselves through times of darkness, touching the Cross before the victory of the cross touches us.
But we are also already men and women of faith. We are blessed because without seeing the Lord we believe.
If we find ourself thinking, ‘I have faith but I know my faith can grow’ and ‘can I really celebrate the light and glory and joy of the Risen One? Maybe I’m not quite there yet..’. How our liturgy wants to teach us! On Pentecost Sunday we hear the Easter Gospel of Jesus appearing to those locked in for fear, and how Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit upon the hearts of these fearful friends. Acts tells us all of these Easter days the powerful work of the Holy Spirit a work among us, it is ours – to use the words of Emily Dickinson – we who are ‘the meek members of the Resurrection’ – or the ones hesitant to let out, !alleluia!, The Spirit will surprise us and guide us and un-fear us.
Let us get to know Nicodemus much better, that is to say, the Nicodemus of the Resurrection, the one whose house is always lit up!
The invitation to pray Eucharistic Prayer these days tells us: we are overcome with Paschal joy! This is the time to acclaim more gloriously our ransom from death and the time of eternal life! The sacrifices of old are fulfilled in the raising up of the Cross! Angels gaze in wonder and we share in His destiny! ….there will always be new words to remind us to celebrate with joy.
A church father has said the apostles did not see Jesus, rather Jesus showed himself to them. Hummm. He seems to be saying that Jesus, the risen one is always with us, but Jesus chooses when and how to show himself that we can see. We need never be disappointed that we did not ‘see Jesus’ like the apostles or women who were at the tomb. Always we have the opportunity of recognizing Jesus in the faces of our brothers and sisters. In them the risen Lord chooses to show himself to us. We see Jesus revealed now in those bearing his wounds. Jesus even invites us to touch them. Or as Matthew 25, puts it when he lists those on the margins, saying that to touch their wounds is to touch those of Jesus.
We have so many reasons to continue to celebrate. Our Risen Lord is that close to us!
Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.