Reflections on Fourth Sunday in Lent (B) from “First Impressions”

Scripture: 2 Chron 36: 14-17, 19-23 / Psalm 137 / Ephesians 2: 4-10 / John 3: 14-21

by Jude Siciliano, O.P. <jude@judeop.org>

Today’s gospel begins with Jesus addressing Nicodemus. Who is Nicodemus? The opening verses of chapter 14 introduce him, and set the stage for Jesus’ words to him. In today’s passage he has nothing to say, he is just a listener. But the passage has, what must be, the most quoted verse from the entire Bible. When TV cameras scan the crowds of sporting events, there is bound to be someone in the stands holding up a sign saying, “John 3:16.”

We hear that verse today, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not die, but may have eternal life.” It is not only a beautiful verse, but it may be the best and briefest summary of our faith. Too bad the next verse is not posted with it, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (v. 17).

Sometimes it sounds like the people who quote 3:16 want to throw in verse 18 as well: “Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has it already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” There, that’s a neat package isn’t it? Believe in Jesus, and you are saved; don’t believe in him and you are lost.

Since the person quoting that verse is usually a believer, they are implying that the other person is not saved, because they do not believe in Jesus. Or, don’t believe in Jesus the way the “quoter” believes in him. This exchange is an example of how dangerous it is to pull a verse out of its context in the scriptures. In this case, that practice condemns 2/3 of the non-Christian world! With you, I believe the world is saved through the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We do not believe that everyone who doesn’t believe, or never heard of the historic events, is condemned.

For example, recall the words in our Eucharistic prayer (#2) for the dead, “Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection and all who have died in your mercy.” Also remember, Matthew 25: 31--46, the scene of the last judgment. Those who fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, comforted the sick and visited the imprisoned were saved – even though they were not consciously doing their good works out of belief in Jesus.

Some of us are called to know God as revealed in Jesus Christ, and to live his life of service to others. We cannot take credit for that faith, it is pure gift, unmerited. We did not earn it, but we do take pride in it, and are grateful to God for it. We are reminded of that in Ephesians today, “For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you, it is the gift of God, it is not from works, so no one can boast.”

Today’s gospel is addressed to us who have received the call and maybe wonder what to do with it. In that quest, we all like Nicodemus, hesitant, and searching. So we ask again, “Who is Nicodemus?” John told us previously (3: 1-2): he is a member of the Sanhedrin , the Jewish high council. He came to Jesus at night. Maybe because he didn’t want to be seen; maybe because he is spiritually in the dark. He does acknowledge Jesus to be a great teacher and so he has come with questions -- life questions.

In today’s passage, Jesus is addressing the questions Nicodemus put to him about being “born again.” He must have been changed by his encounter with Jesus, because he appears twice more in John’s gospel: he speaks up for Jesus before the Sanhedrin (7:5); with Joseph of Arimathea, he buries Jesus (19:38--40).

We do not know if Nicodemus became a believer in Jesus. Maybe, with others, he was too timid to admit he believed in him. The gospel is written for us believers, called in service to the Lord. We have received the gift of faith. How do we use it? Do our lives witness to our faith. Or, do we shrink back when challenged to speak and act on what we profess we believe? In other words, do we just blend in with the world around us? Do we hang back in the shadows with Nicodemus, afraid to be seen with Jesus? Our faith in Jesus cannot be just in name, especially when living that faith might require difficult change.

John’s gospel describes a person who lives their faith in Jesus as one who, “lives the truth”; or “does the truth.” Creedal statements, just speaking the truth, is not enough – we have to do it. We have to act on what we believe, despite the cost.

That is what Ephesians reminds us today. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance that we should live in them.” We can be become God’s “handiwork” if we let God do God’s work in us. All is a gift of grace. Lent continues to remind us of that. We are called to follow Jesus and take up his cross. In Lent we pray and sacrifice to do just that.