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Gospel Reading for April 13, 2026 – John 3: 1-8
EFFORT
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, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man 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, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 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.”
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So, not all Pharisees were legalistic in their interpretation of the Mosaic Law, nor did all of them question Jesus merely to test him. There were those, like Nicodemus, who sincerely sought the truth. Nicodemus recognized that Jesus had come from God because of the signs he performed. He came to Jesus at night, perhaps to find a quiet moment, since Jesus’ days were always filled with preaching and healing.
We, too, must make an EFFORT to know Jesus and his teachings more deeply—by faithfully reading and listening to his Word. The Eucharistic celebration gives us this opportunity. We also need quiet moments with him to look at our lives.
“I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” In Baptism, we are born again and receive the Holy Spirit, enabling us to enter God’s Kingdom. But being born again and receiving the Holy Spirit is not merely a label placed upon us. It calls for a lifelong response to share in Christ’s threefold mission—as prophet (witness), priest (prayer), and king (service). This is the path by which we enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Lord, may we be faithful to our response to share in your mission!
