I am traveling. Each time I access internet in a hotel my computer protection program warns me that I am on a public network, and someone might see what I am doing on my computer. When I rented a car last Thursday, the rental place said there was a new proviso in the rental agreement about privacy around cell phone use in the rented car.
Modern technology has made us acutely aware that prudence is called for around issues of privacy and what data we are proclaiming to a world that can listen in unaware.
Our Scripture readings today tell us this is another case of “there is nothing new under the sun.”
Nicodemus Comes to Jesus By Night
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. He was fascinated by Jesus, but he did not understand him. His fellow Pharisees had a dim opinion of Jesus, so prudence led Nicodemus to come to Jesus at night. He came when he could talk to Jesus alone, privately. Jesus and Nicodemus had a long conversation which will provide us our daily Gospel readings through Thursday of this week. As we will hear on Wednesday, it was to Nicodemus that Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him might not perish, but have Eternal Life.” (John 3:16)
Today, the conversation begins, and Nicodemus tells Jesus in effect, “I am confused by you.” He says, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” But there must have been a look of confusion on his face or more conversation John didn’t record, because Jesus answer is, “unless you are born from above, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
That response from Jesus confused Nicodemus all the more. He says, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely, he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
Jesus was not painting a clear picture with his words! I can hear the incredulity in Nicodemus’ voice.
Jesus answers patiently, “unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.”
Keep reading all week, to see where this conversation leads.
For Nicodemus, it must have had substantial effect, for he reminds his brother Pharisees who are ready to condemn Jesus in John 7 that Jewish law requires a person be heard before being judged, and Nicodemus returns in John 19 to claim Jesus’ body, provide burial spices, and put it in the tomb. He is a recognized as a saint in the Orthodox Church.
Peter and John
In the reading from Acts, there is also confusion and struggles around privacy, proclamation, prudence. As we read last week, Peter and John were in trouble with the Jewish leaders because they were healing people in Jesus’ name, proclaiming his resurrection—and gaining a lot of followers. The Sanhedrin told them to keep quiet. Peter’s reply was that Jesus’ resurrection and power to heal were not a private matter. “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard,” he replied.
In today’s reading Peter and John returned to the body of believers and told what happened to them. Luke says the response of the emerging Christian community was “they raised their voices to God with one accord” to praise God. The power of that unity of proclamation was so great that “the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Privacy, Prudence, and Proclamation Today
Issues of privacy and proclamation are huge in the church today. I’ve studied theology. I pray. I write here, at A Catholic Moment. I’m active in my parish. At times I like to think of myself in the company of Peter and John—or at least in the company of those early Christians who couldn’t keep quiet about the power of Jesus’ capacity to heal, about the radical difference living in the shadow of the resurrection means.
But the truth is, I’m much more like Nicodemus. Sometimes for the same reasons he has in today’s Gospel: I don’t understand enough to have the full picture. Like Nicodemus (and Thomas Aquinas), I like for all my theology to be in order, so I can be sure I am speaking Truth.
But I run into situations where knowing Truth is not enough. I also struggle with HOW to speak Truth. I meet too many people who have encountered plenty of Catholics and other Christians who have turned them off to faith. I meet people who ask me questions about faith that I’m scared to answer, because the answer needs to be given with the wisdom of Jesus—which I lack.
Vatican Council II, especially in Gaudium et Spes, tells us to go transform the world. Claim it for Christ! How? Five times last week I was acutely aware of how hard it is to speak God’s Truth so it comes between “the marrow and the bone” and has effect. One of those times, from the effect, I believe I did it. Two times, from the effect, I believe I did not. Two other times, I clammed up and remained silent.
When I look at the success, it was a situation where I had plenty of time to pray. I prayed, and God gave me wisdom. When I look at the other four instances, aware I lacked wisdom, I remained “Christian light” or kept quiet.
A Picture
I saw a picture last week. It was in one of Mother Teresa’s convents. There was a large crucifix on the wall, with her theme words of “I thirst” on it. At the bottom of the cross were the words, “I quench.”
I privately long to quench God’s thirst—with my own continuing conversion, with bringing people close enough to him that he can transform them.
As I prayed last week, this prayer came: Pray for the Holy Spirit to give me Prudence. It worked once last week. Maybe it can do for me what it did for Peter, John, and the early church.
Prayer:
Lord, let me proclaim you! Teach me how. Give me the gifts of the Holy Spirit when I speak: Fear of the Lord, Piety, Fortitude, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, and Wisdom. And give me the Fruits of the Holy Spirit as I listen: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control. Lead me, guide me, Lord.
