Born Again—from the Inside Out
Fourth Sunday of Lent
2 Chronicles 36:14–16, 19–23 / Psalm 137:6ab / Ephesians 2:4–10 / John 3:14–21
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Reflecting on the Word
By Dr. Karla J. Bellinger
Nicodemus, the Jewish leader, came to see Jesus at night. He wanted answers. But why did he prefer to come in the darkness and not in the light? Was he was concerned about his reputation, protecting his “street cred”?
Is that what we’re living for— “street cred” or the number of “likes” that we get? Does the number of our social media “followers” determine our worth? “Looking good” is what an older generation calls it. “Saving face” is critical to the politics of many nations.
We do need encouragement. Affirmation is necessary for human growth. But some positives can turn into compulsions. An institution can be overpowered by a fixation on safeguarding its reputation. You and I can be personally overwhelmed by the culture of applause.
A young man once talked to me about how he had gained “street cred” for looking like “a good Catholic boy” at a Catholic college. He got affirmation for attending Mass daily. It felt good. But the Holy Spirit asked him in prayer to start over, to shed that mere living for external approval that had birthed his persona, and to make it new from the inside. He began to focus on integrity, to be reborn from within—not just to look good, but to be good. It felt healthy to start afresh.
Maybe Nicodemus was weary of the posturing that swirled around him. Maybe he came to Jesus because he saw a refreshing grace. Jesus suggested to Nicodemus, “Start over, begin anew.” He extended a hand to help this Pharisee begin again, differently—to come out of the darkness and into the light.
What Jesus tells Nicodemus (and us) in John 3:16, that “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,” isn’t just a placard to be displayed proudly at sporting events. By grace, we can start over. The Savior rescues us from living for the external applause of life, and rebirths us from within.
Consider/Discuss
- We need affirmation to keep loving and giving and not to get discouraged. But what about the incessant pressures to “look good”? Can an addiction to applause and being liked throw us off balance? What happens to our self-worth when nobody claps? On the other hand, what can happen to our interior equilibrium if too many people applaud us? What kind of inner integrity does the Holy Spirit want to grow within us?
- Where do we find the grace to “start over?” Grown-up life is no longer innocent. We have hurt others. We also have been hurt. We ought to be condemned for the deeds that we have done in darkness. When have you (or have you not) experienced Jesus’ hand of forgiveness as he says, “I do not come to condemn the world but to save it”?
Living and Praying with the Word
God of glory, you are fresh, you are new. There are times when this world wearies us with its posturing and demands. On this Lenten day, we turn to you for forgiveness and renewal. Give us the grace to begin again. Help us! As we close our eyes to seek you, the blessed light within, you even more are looking for us and drawing us to yourself. Holy Spirit, turn our hearts toward the goodness that is founded only on your love and your truth. Refresh us so we can be reborn anew this day.