READ SCRIPTURE (John 3:1-17)
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jewish people. He came to Jesus by 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 do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the dominion of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to Jesus, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the dominion of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to Jesus, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son-of-Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son-of-Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God loved the world in this way, that God gave the Son, the only begotten one, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
REFLECT ON THE READING
Both in reading these passages of Scripture today and, when it is possible, in gathering for eucharist, we find ourselves standing before God, the Thrice-Holy One. In both places we should cry out with Isaiah, “Woe is me! I am a person of unclean lips, dwelling among people of unclean lips, and I cannot stand before God and live!” But the Holy Trinity gathers us into mercy: the Spirit gives us birth in baptism and forms us to pray; Jesus Christ is sent to share our death and our life, making us joint heirs of hope; the Father, the one who sends Jesus, loves the world and sends us with him as witnesses. There are not three gods, but one loving, rich, enfolding mystery. The Trinity is the living God we know, whose divine life we are drawn to share. With the word of these scriptures — as also with the bread and cup of the eucharist when that is possible — the coal has touched our lips and we can turn with good news and love toward our neighbors.
PRAY TOGETHER
Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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