SUNDAY 14 March 2021, 4th Sunday Lent
Title: “Nicodemus: Undetected. Unfettered. Unrecognized.”
[__01__] Once upon an I-95/Turnpike time, years ago, my grandparents and my aunt and uncle drove from here in the northeast to Florida to visit friends from their neighborhood.
Arriving at their destination, they
found out that the friends were in the Bronx. (Awkward). I am not aware how
much longer my grandparents stayed on.
They could have called first.
The many communications devices at our disposal enable us to avoid such
pitfalls, such disconnections.
[__02__] In
the Gospel this Sunday, we read from the Gospel of John, Chapter 3, about a
conversation between Nicodemus the Pharisee who has traveled some distance –
though perhaps not a geographical distance in kilometers or miles – but rather
across to a new spiritual ecosystem /climate-zone to see our Lord and Savior.
[__03__] I’d
like to touch on the example of Nicodemus as an aspiring disciple and the
dynamics of what he experience – and we can experience – in our prayers and
meditations.
That is Nicodemus is [►UNDETECTED], [►UNFETTERED], [►UNRECOGNIZED].
[__04__] 1st
. [►UNDETECTED]
Being
undetected can be hazardous or inefficient if were to drive 18 ½ hours –
Manhattan to Miami – and we arrive at our destination and the host knows not of
our arrival. Not good news.
There is a down side to being
undetected.
But, there is also an up side, good
news.
There’s a special delight and pleasure
taken in being undetected in our loving relationships. For example, do we not
delight at the times we can surprise someone or please someone who did not
expect a special favor.
Girls and boys – my young brothers and
sisters – you can bring great joy to your mothers and fathers by doing what
they ask -- [►UNDETECTED],
unreminded …
Nicodemus also gives us an example of
being [►UNDETECTED]. Nicodemus,
as a Pharisee, is a partisan and party-member very much on the opposite side of
the aisle from Jesus.
(JBC 68:2 à “In
view of the official opposition to Jesus, already suggested by John and borne
out repeatedly throughout the Gospel, a prominent leader such as Nicodemus
could only have come to see Jesus secretly [at night].”)
It was a risk Nicodemus was willing to
take.
Nicodemus comes to Christ undetected.
And you/I come ot pray sometimes [►UNDETECTED],
by others about what our deepest desires, hopes, or joys might be.
God alone knows.
Also [►UNDETECTED],
we rely on God to meet needs we may not even be aware of…
[__05__] 2nd,
[►UNFETTERED].
Nicodemus
is unfettered, unburdened in his encounter
with Christ. Nicodemus is unfettered.
A “fetter” is something that burdens
us, perhaps, as a constraint or even as a capability.
What
is Nicodemus’ fetter, his prized possession?
It is his education, learning,
intellect.
Earlier, Jesus had observed that Nicodemus
is the “teacher
of Israel.” (John
3:10)
However, now, Nicodemus is in the
dark, after regular-business hours and face-to-face with our Savior. In John 3:1, we read that Nicodemus had come
to see Jesus at night. This is Nicodemus unfettered, out of the spotlight,
Nick@Nite.
Our intelligence, our intellect are
great gifts. But, do they, at times, not also become burdens as we might
second-guess our choices or unfairly judge others.
Nicodemus goes before Jesus to learn.
He is unfettered, a reminder to ask God for help regardless of what we may have
figured out.
To be [►UNFETTERED] is
a virtue.
[_06_] 3rd. [►UNRECOGNIZED].
Nicodemus is unrecognized. We might
assume that Nicodemus, the Pharisee, returns to his partisan ways, to his
party, to his profession, to his career.
And, maybe, at first, his connection
to Jesus is not recognized or appreciated.
Why?
Was it because Nicodemus did not call
first? Did not call ahead?
[_07_] Sure,
Nicodemus did not call first. But, then again, who among us, calls the Christ,
Son of God first?
Rather Christ calls us.
Nicodemus was called; you were called;
I was called.
Nicodemus received and perceived a
calling and went out, went out of his way, out of his comfort zone to learn
about Christ.
This was a risk, a risk to go [►UNDETECTED], [►UNFETTERED], [►UNRECOGNIZED].
In our own prayers and meditations, we
may have to do the same – to be undetected, unfettered, unrecognized.
However, over time, in our
conversation with God, we can come to know Him, to learn His presence and to
recognize Christ in our lives and know that he is detecting, he is watching
over us each day … for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that
all who believe in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD.
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