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All In

Poker

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.


The disciples in today’s first reading were born from above, born of the Spirit.

Jesus teaches this rebirth in today’s gospel, and Nicodemus does not understand it. He is open to Jesus and wants to learn from Him, but he cannot quite reach beyond his own categories and his own limited understanding, to Jesus’ true meaning.

It is understandable. The disciples themselves did not catch the drift of rebirth in the Spirit until it was gifted to them, nearly imposed upon them one might say, from on high at Pentecost, after Jesus’ Resurrection.

What, then, was the difference between the disciples, who received the Holy Spirit, and the honest-hearted Nicodemus, who (as far as we know) did not? While Nicodemus went back to what he knew, the context of the Sanhedrin and the Old Law, the disciples launched out and followed Jesus, despite their imperfections, confusion, and ongoing fear.

This “reckless” following of Jesus was what “won” for them the gift of the Holy Spirit, which raised them above all their fears and limitations, allowing them to fulfill the fullness of their destiny and boldly proclaim the Gospel.

As we contemplate the disciples, Nicodemus, and the reality of the transformation that Jesus brought with the Resurrection and Pentecost, on the one hand, we must not be too hard on ourselves. Like the disciples when Jesus called them and as they followed Him, we are riddled with blind spots, imperfections, and small-mindedness. He does not for that reason push us away, or become frustrated or impatient with us.

On the other hand, though, let’s take the path of the disciples, not that of Nicodemus. Let’s go all in with Him, follow Him with patience and without reserve, and beg Him for the Holy Spirit. He will not be slow to answer our request.

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Tell Jesus that you are all His, without conditions or attachments. Ask Him to send you His Holy Spirit in abundance, to complete the good work He has begun in you.

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Just Follow

Elephants

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.


Todays readings on the feast of St. Andrew remind us beautifully of the simplicity of the Christian life. St. Paul: Just believe in Christ, follow Him, and you will be good! Nothing to worry about!

And that’s just what St. Andrew does in today’s Gospel passage. He very simply leaves behind everything he is working on and follows Jesus when called.

We could suspect Andrew of fickleness. Something appeals to him, and he leaves aside his responsibilities and follows that something, like a dog suddenly jumping up and following a squirrel.

But it was not this way at all, neither for Andrew, nor for the other disciples. They were enough in touch with their hearts, with their own desires, to know that this Man passing was it–He was their chance at happiness. Something about His presence, His bearing, His call clued them in to this. And they weren’t so bedazzled by professional possibilities or buried in anxieties not to pick up on these signals.

We can be critical of Protestants for “overemphasizing” faith as if the embodiment of it in our lives, in our actions, doesn’t matter at all. But in the case, at least, of many of our separated brethren, this is a caricature. Many have a very strong conscience, and an awareness of the importance of virtue and sin.

In fact, without ever downplaying emphasis on our responsibility in showing our faith through works, we can learn something from the appeal St. Paul’s simple message today to Protestants, and Andrew’s actions. In the end, it’s all about following Jesus. Yes, there are lots of nuances. We need to avoid sin, for which opportunities are manifold and complex! But Jesus is simple. And if we are having trouble figuring out how to follow Him on a given day, all we need to do is ask–and He will not fail to ensure that we stay on His path.

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: What a marvelous thing, that as we follow Jesus, if we want to avoid error and avoid straying, all we need to do is ask Him. He is happy to be the chief protagonist of the relationship. He doesn’t expect us to figure it out for ourselves. Talk with Jesus, and tell Him that you trust Him–ask Him to draw you closer and closer to Him as you strive to follow Him as wholeheartedly as Andrew did.

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