Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by 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 do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

Shortly before his death, Pope Francis began a catechesis series on encounters with Jesus from the gospels (Cycle of Catechesis – Jubilee 2025). He began with the meeting in the dark of night between Nicodemus and Jesus, and explains that the dark night likely reflects the darkness Nicodemus found himself in, he was “a man in the darkness of doubt” made clear by the questions he peppers Jesus with.

It’s a darkness that many of us would be familiar with:
“He is a man with a well-defined personality; he has a public role, he is one of the leaders of the Jews. But probably something no longer adds up for him. Nicodemus senses that something no longer works in his life. He feels the need to change, but he does not know where to begin.” (Pope Francis)

This darkness is when the discomfort of what no longer sits right with us becomes too much to bear. We know that change is needed but fear what change will bring. The longer we sit in that place, the more inflexible and rigid we become.

There is hope in the darkness of doubt, Pope Francis explains, “It is possible to emerge from the darkness and find the courage to follow Christ.”

But if the darkness of confusion is familiar to us, then so too is the inkling Nicodemus had, that perhaps Jesus had the answers to his questions and could “illuminate the darkness of his heart.”

He can and he does! In Christ we find new light, hope and life. So when we have our own dark nights, let’s us spend them in the company of Christ. Do you trust Jesus to bring light and hope into your dark nights?