Reflection for MONDAY, 2nd Week of Easter.

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar

 Today's Gospel Passage 

 John 3:1-8   

Unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God

There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to Jesus by night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him.’ Jesus answered:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

unless a man is born from above,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

Nicodemus said, ‘How can a grown man be born? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ Jesus replied:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

unless a man is born through water and the Spirit,

he cannot enter the kingdom of God:

what is born of the flesh is flesh;

what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Do not be surprised when I say:

You must be born from above.

The wind blows wherever it pleases;

you hear its sound,

but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.

That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’

Reflection on the readings 

In the rite of Baptism, ordinary elements are used.

There are water, oil, candle and white garment.

And there is the baptismal font in which the baptism will take place.

Even though nothing dramatic or spectacular will happen, yet something mystical is indeed happening.

At the baptismal font, the baptismal formula is said by the priest who stands in the person of Jesus Christ.

The water that was blessed is the symbol of the Holy Spirit who is coming down upon the person that is being baptized.

With baptism, the person become a child of God, whom he or she will call “Father”.

Jesus said in the gospel that what is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

With baptism, we enter into the spiritual world of God, and in that sense we are “born again”.

We are born from above, and with that we see the Kingdom of God even though we are on earth.

May we continue to reflect deeply on our baptism so that we will be moved by the Holy Spirit and be children of God in the world.


        GOD BLESS YOU

Good morning. Have a nice day.

Let's pray for the forthcoming state Elections.