Liturgical tradition gives this Sunday the title of “laetare” or “rejoice” Sunday based on its midpoint in the season of Lent and the opening word of the entrance antiphon.
Alas, the scripture passages in this cycle of Lent do not come anywhere near rejoicing, at least at first blush.
But good news awaits.
Psychotherapists frequently ask, “How do you feel about that?”
Persons undergoing psychotherapy frequently have difficulty identifying and naming feelings or emotions.
One psychotherapist of my acquaintance banned only one response to her prompt about feelings.
She banned her patients from saying, “I feel confused.,” because she contended it was always a ploy to avoid making a decision.
This memory came back to me as I read Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus.
Our passage today picks up only a portion of Jesus’ discourse following the encounter, but if you will remember, Nicodemus famously asks Jesus if being born again means re-entering one’s mother’s womb.
Nicodemus would have had a tough time of it in psychotherapy.
His overly literal approach to the conversation might make me smile in a condescending way, but the gospel writer intends for us to identify with Nicodemus.
Nicodemus stands for a type of sincere, religious person who prospers within his comfort zone.
Nicodemus may have memorized large portions of the Torah and been able to recite the passage from the Book of Numbers we heard today.
Nicodemus would have heard the cantor at his synagogue singing this psalm of lament we heard sung today.
Nicodemus approached Jesus sincerely, but with trepidation because Jesus’ authority stood in stark relief to what he depended on for solace up to that point in his life.
So that means the discourse we hear today is meant for us.
I think the portion of Jesus’ discourse we hear today has one critical expression that we need to unpack.
That is, “But those who do what is true come to the light,.”
The early part of the discourse relies on the verb, believe.
The gospel writer uses it five times.
We often associate that verb with intellectual assent to a doctrine or dogma.
In the context of this discourse it is used in a more active sense, “believe in the Son of Man,” and “believe in the Only Begotten.”
All of us, along with Nicodemus, are challenged to act rather than merely assent.
“Do what is true,” becomes a little less of a riddle.
Somehow, our actions in response to the call of Christ Jesus, will take us closer to believing.
Giving ourselves over to certain behavior, relying on the grace of God, will takes us on the pilgrimage of faith.
As John’s gospel unfolds, Nicodemus shows up twice more.
When the Sanhedrin plots to arrest Jesus, Nicodemus is the sole voice warning against the plot.
Then when Jesus is summarily executed on the cross, Nicodemus shows up again, with Joseph of Arimathea, to remove his body for proper burial, including the outlay of costly oils and aromatic herbs and spices.
Nicodemus is led into the light by his actions.
His actions are evidence of the born anew spirit that he could not muster to acknowledge in his first encounter with Jesus.
He did not think his way into the light.
He did not pray and meditate his way into the light.
He did not intellectually consent himself into the light.
What does this mean for us following Christ Jesus in this time and place?
We too are religious people here, not unlike Nicodemus.
We have our culture-bound norms that we adhere to that have served us well up to a point.
Like Nicodemus we desire to know Jesus better.
Like Nicodemus we shy somewhat from the “all in” that Jesus invites us to.
It seems Jesus expects us to move, to make pilgrimage (if you will) to the margins of our culture, society, and religion so that we can better see the light we are called to.
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are important.
In combination they will quiet the noise in us so we can hear the good news more clearly.
The good news is that the God who loves us and who loves the whole world will be most readily found at the margins, at the edges, where justice needs to be done for the least of us.
Nicodemus came to believe in the Son of Man,
the Only Begotten One,
gradually,
stepping out of his comfort zone,
on a pilgrimage to the glory of the cross.
Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our spirit, so that we may grow in holiness, through your constant care, we pray …
Ruler of all, guide the minds and hearts of all in public office.
May they seek the common good, we pray …
Creator, you made each human being in your image.
Help all those who strive to uphold human dignity, particularly the dignity of refugees, victims of wage theft, and civilians caught up in war, we pray …
Now please mention quietly or silently the names of those whose needs you carry in your heart. For these and all listed in our book of intentions, we pray …
Holy One, you have taught us to overcome our sins by prayer, fasting and works of mercy.
When we are discouraged by our weakness, give us confidence in your love.
We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.