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March 24, 2012

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: "Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will be spoken no more." But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge, searcher of mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause! Jeremiah 11:19-20

Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." John 7:50-52

Piety

Help us to learn from the example of Nicodemus to be drawn to the light of Christ. Help us, too, to live in the light and the truth.

Study

Today we encounter two different personalities in the readings. In the reading from Jeremiah, we meet the voice of the innocent victim who is helped by an advocate from the assaults that are being planned. In the reading from John, we meet the other type -- the advocate.

The surprise for us is the person who is the advocate -- none other than Nicodemus. Nicodemus is the Curious Pharisee. We see how his attraction to the carpenter's son from Nazareth has grown from their first encounter. At that time, Nicodemus crept to meet Jesus under the cover of darkness. During that encounter, he heard what has probably become the most famous Biblical passage in history since, "In the beginning…"

Jesus explained to Nicodemus that night that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)

Nicodemus learned the importance of advocacy -- the Son serving as advocate for the world. Jesus went on to teach the Curious Pharisee "But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God."

As Nicodemus is drawn to the light, he also knows that he has the responsibility to bring others there with him. Despite the skepticism of the crowd, Nicodemus hears a different message and tries -- unsuccessfully -- to intervene before the events of the Passion can unfold.

We also know that despite this failure, Nicodemus is not swayed. Long after the rest of the disciples have fled to safety and hiding, Nicodemus will be there at the foot of the cross overcoming and ignoring all the obstacles and helping to give Jesus a reverential burial. He does not fear coming forward to the light before the world to be a seen as a follower of Christ.

Action

Are you growing in faith and action like Nicodemus this Lenten season? What opposition are you facing from the crowd? How can you overcome that opposition?