Sunday, April 11, 2021

The Coming of Nicodemus at Night

Gospel Thoughts*

*Easter Season : Second Week : Monday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 3:1-8*

*First Reading - Acts 4:23-31*

*The Coming of Nicodemus at Night*

*1) Nicodemus came at night to meet Jesus*

The Gospel makes it very clear that Nicodemus came in the night to meet Jesus

It appears to be an ordinary thing, when we read it in the Gospel

But the question is

Why did he come to meet Jesus in the night? 

Is there any deeper meaning in coming in the night to meet Jesus ? 

How we can apply this gesture of Nicodemus to our life? 

*2) The Various reasons for coming in the night*

First of all, from the Gospel it becomes clear that he was frightened about the Jewish  authorities about his meeting with Jesus 

If they come to know about his meeting with Jesus, then he will be accused of following Jesus 

The moment he goes in the broad day light, all will come to know about it. 

So he didnt want anybody to know about his meeting with Jesus. So he came in the night

Secondly he was also worried about his own future. If he meets Jesus in the board day light and if it becomes known to many people, what would be effect of it - will it spoil his good name?

Will it be a issue to target him later 

May be these were other issues which might have bothered Nicodemus 

*3) Physical Darkness and also Spiritual darkness*

The Gospel speaks only of physical darkness, which happens at the sunset 

Beyond this physical darkness we can also see other types of darkness which really troubled Nicodemus

*Darkness of fear* He was frightened about many things - about his reputation, about his future etc 

*Darkness of confusion* Nicodemus was fully immersed with the darkness of confusion - confusion about meeting Jesus, confusion about the real identity of Jesus, confusion about how Jewish authority will see his gesture of meeting Jesus, etc 

*Darkness of Mind* He was not able to judge clearly about his own approach towards Jesus. Whether to meet Jesus or not 

*Darkness of Heart* This darkness does not allow one to feel or experience about something

May be the darkness of heart didn't allow Nicodemus to experience Jesus that's why he had to come in the night to meet Jesus 

*4) When there was darkness - Nicodemus met Jesus*

Apart from the physical darkness there were also other darkness, from which Nicodemus was suffering 

But one good thing about Nicodemus is that, He met Jesus when he was suffering from the darkness 

Coming to Jesus when one really suffers from the darkness is really a wonderful thing, which changes the life of the person 

So coming to Jesus when one really suffers from the darkness is a very important aspect to learn from Nicodemus

*5) Meeting of Jesus at Night*

First of all Nicodemus was able to meet Jesus, without much trouble 

Secondly he could spend more time with Jesus - discussing various issues

Thirdly he could clarify many of his doubts which he had in his mind and heart 

Fourthly it really changed the life of Nicodemus, he went back with new enlightenment, which helped him to overcome the various darkness from His life 

Fifthly - it was a time of less distraction once Nicodemus encountered Jesus, which made him to concentrate more on Jesus' words 

*6) Night gives a new light to Nicodemus*

We are very sure that Nicodemus who came in the night went back as a different person 

Even though there was physical darkness out side, but in the life of Nicodemus there was new light 

New light of understanding

New light of a birth from above 

New light to understand things from above 

New light to know the person of Jesus more deeply 

New light of courage, hope, vision, etc 

*7) What about my life?*

Is there any sort of darkness in my life? 

Darkness of ignorance, laziness, pride, arrogance, anger, revenge, etc 

When there is darkness, which direction I move?  Is it towards Jesus to get some light or towards those things which make our life more darker than ever?

Have I ever encountered my Lord when there was severe  darkness in life? If so what was my experience? 

What type of light have I received from the Risen Lord?  How do I make use of this light in my day today life? 

We are not the children of darkness but the children of light  1 Thessalonians 5:5

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*
*Jeppu Seminary*
*Mangalore*

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