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Gospel Reading for April 28, 2025 – John 3: 1-8
NOT JUST A RITUAL
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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Were there times in our life when in the midst of noise and pollution, we felt we were not just “DUMPED” into the world for nothing? When suddenly, we feel like we were called to do something important as our share in the betterment of the human race?
Were there times in our life when we were beset with problems, we suddenly thought that there is someone great out there, bigger than us, more powerful, who can help us solve these problems however big they are?
Were there times in our life when in the midst of joyful celebrations, we felt that humans are special and gifted with so much abilities that make up for accomplishments and contribution to mankind, and have dignity more than any other creature in the universe?
These are spiritual experiences, and they are not exclusive to Christians alone. All of us, being made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 27), can have such an experience. In this gospel reading, Jesus says, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
When we are initiated into the Church, we are baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By our Baptism, we gain entry into the Kingdom of God which lives in eternity. But, Baptism is NOT JUST A RITUAL. In order for us to remain in the Kingdom of God, we need to remain faithful to God the King. If we think it is burdensome to be loyal to God, let us think of the consequences of being disloyal to God. To be disloyal to him is to destroy the Spirit in us. If we allow this to happen, what would be left of us? It is no wonder that God’s Son became one of us. He had to show us how to sustain our dignity, and how not to lose our chance to live in eternity.
Let us ponder on this hymn written by Fr. Peter Scholte, THEY’LL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE –
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
