You may remember a popular game show from the 1950's entitled, “I’ve got a secret.” Yes, I know I'm dating myself and although I was just a kid, I do remember the reruns. It begs one to ask, “What’s the hot dirt? Tell me the latest bit of juicy gossip, just between you and me.” Not that I would ever be interested of course!
The simple point of that show was that a guest was presented to a review of panelists who were challenged, through a method of probing questions and answers that would provide various clues, to identify the correct “secret” of that individual; something that was unusual, amazing or humorous about that person. It was a series of discovery; of coming to know this other person in a way that is perhaps not clearly evident and becomes surprising.
Today’s reading for Mass takes a bit of a diversion from the Easter stories we have been hearing since Easter Sunday on April 4th. This is a kind of play on the “I’ve got a secret” show. Jesus has a secret he attempts to reveal to a curious follower. However, a secret intended to reveal a truth for more than just one. The Gospel reading from John 3:1-8 speaks of a conversation, pre-resurrection period, between Jesus and a respectful Pharisee named Nicodemus. It goes to prove that even among the Jewish leaders, Jesus did have some if not enthusiastic supporters, at least those who were less antagonistic and more curious about Jesus. Nicodemus respectfully addresses Jesus: “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 . . .” Good start. Flattery will get you everywhere, Nicodemus.
The Pharisees were an important and powerful group of religious leaders among the Jews of Palestine. They were referred to as the “separate ones,” a kind of Rabbi (teacher); a sectarian group who supported the traditions of Judaism and adhered to the written and oral law. They emphasized ritual purity and became watchdogs of the faith. Yet, the people apparently had high respect for them. We know from the Gospels that Jesus more than once, however, found himself at odds with some of these Pharisees. The sense is that the Pharisaical enforcement of the law over love; of obedience over compassion; of righteous living for some over the inclusion of all, regardless of their status, seemed to be the cause for tension between Jesus and these religious leaders. So, Nicodemus is presented as one who had to be cautious of his evident interest in Jesus. He comes to Jesus under cover of dark – sneaks away from the others.
John, as the most spiritual of all the Gospels, presents Jesus as a kind of mystical teacher. Sometimes it appears that Jesus is walking around in a kind of other-earthly existence, spewing off theological statements with his head in the clouds, while his hearers stand there dumb-struck or clueless at best. That, however, is certainly not the intent.
Jesus provides a further clue to Nicodemus' search: “Amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God . . . You must be born from above . . .” God is like a Father to us who offers us the gift of his life just as our natural parents have brought us into existence through the love they share. We are born into this natural life and through baptism we must be born to the spiritual life and can enter eternity – the family of God (Trinity) where we will live in his life.
But, it seems Nicodemus is perplexed – what does “born again” mean? This makes the path of discovery more of a challenge. What’s going to be Nicodemus’ next question? Jesus speaks of flesh and spirit, a favorite of John’s Gospel, and tests Nicodemus to see beyond his own comfort level, his own concept of reality and come to understand that God is not static. That in Christ Jesus, God has stretched us beyond our earth bound limitations, beyond the old and now has made something new. We are indeed “born again” in a spiritual existence through the waters of Baptism and this, Jesus states, is essential for eternal life. Well, old Nick may be even more confused right now but he likely wanted to probe deeper.
Yet, I imagine Nicodemus standing there with a somewhat dazed look on his face maybe scratching his head, not wanting to ask a further question that may sound naïve at best, wondering what the heck is the point Jesus is trying to make. Verse 9 of John’s Gospel in this Chapter, the verse following the last line of today’s Gospel, has Nicodemus asking Jesus, “How is that possible?” Nicodemus is puzzled over the concepts of flesh and spirit –over “earthly things” and “heavenly things” as Jesus says. Whew – Theology 101 for sure!
The secret is revealed and according to Jesus, all are invited to this new birth of “water and spirit.” This Easter season of faith indeed stretches us to know that God’s plan for our lives is far beyond our human comprehension but we are given enough of a clue, sufficient knowledge, to be certain that in the risen Lord, we are part of a plan that indeed is in our best interest to say the least.
Lent may have ended on our Church calendar but our conversion continues. Flesh and spirit, light and darkness, ignorance and knowledge are among the themes in John’s Gospel and for us, an invitation to come to know the risen Lord Jesus not only as a human being, not as one who hides secrets from us, but as one who is as St. Thomas proclaimed yesterday, “My Lord and My God.”
The waters of baptism, that born again experience whether we remember that moment or not, planted the seed of faith within our hearts. But, like a seed that is planted in the ground, it must be nurtured and cared for. Jesus invited Nicodemus to think outside the box. To contemplate his revealed “secret” of new life in Christ Jesus. To go beyond only what he could measure and to see God’s plan; to imagine an existence and life that he may not be aware of.
I love it when modern atheists confidently proclaim, “There is no God!” How do they know with such certainty there is no God? What is the evidence? Who told them? A faith crisis is one thing and Nicodemus is somewhat in a crisis of faith; denial and obstinacy is another. Nicodemus isn’t in denial – he wants to know the truth and is searching for it with the one who is the fullness of truth itself. When we search and want to know “the secret,” we need to go to the source – to the One who will send his Spirit upon us. No games, no secrets, no tricks.
Faith is confidence in things I cannot prove through scientific formulas, logic, the measurable laws of nature, or material substance. Faith is a gift. God alone offers his grace and mercy. Jesus Christ alone brings us to his life. May the grace of our baptisms be a source of confidence and hope.
May Christ alive for us be your peace!
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