“You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” – John 3:10–12
Today we honor St. Nicodemus. Reflect on how you might be like Nicodemus.
The good news is that this Pharisee, once hesitant and questioning, ultimately grew in faith and is commemorated as a saint whose feast day is August 31.
Like him, we are called to move beyond the surface and deepen our openness to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ question, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?” signals both a challenge and an invitation. Unlike the harsh rebukes He gave to those who approached with skepticism and disdain, His tone with Nicodemus was firm yet compassionate. Without condemning Nicodemus, Jesus exposed his limited understanding and called him to greater openness to the truth of Jesus’ identity and His divine mission.
Jesus gently encouraged Nicodemus to move beyond amazement toward a faith made possible only by openness to the Holy Spirit.
Like Nicodemus, many of us approach God in prayer with an initial or superficial faith. We acknowledge Jesus’ divinity, but this is only the starting point. Once we make that first step, Jesus invites us further, challenging us to delve into divine mysteries with hearts open to grace.
Jesus, desired the complete conversion of Nicodemus’ soul. He drew Nicodemus further, guiding him and opening doorways in his heart that eventually bloomed into a deeper understanding of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Reflect today on how you might be like Nicodemus. He is a great example of a man who began simply with a desire of heart to know more of Jesus.
Nicodemus went from this night of confusion and desire through the next years to end up at the foot of the cross and the empty tomb.