Bible Text: “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things” John 3.31-36
It is good to know who Nicodemus is because since Monday of this second week of Easter until this very day the daily gospel revolves around the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus is a Pharisee and in our modern times his profession is exactly equivalent to a lawyer. By the way, he is not an ordinary Pharisee but he is an honourable member of the Sanhedrin which is the same as the Supreme Court of a State or a country. The only difference between the Pharisee and the lawyer is that the former does not only interpret the law but he makes sure to bring the Jews to eternal life. Jesus and Nicodemus have the same vision which is the salvation of all people. For Jesus, salvation comes only from God and it is indeed a gift of God for us. For Nicodemus, the way to salvation is the obedience of the law. When Jesus started His discourse that salvation is from above, Nicodemus could hardly accept the truth revealed by Jesus that is why He frankly told Nicodemus, heavenly things will never be understood by the one who is of the earth. With human reason, it is impossible to grasp heavenly things.
There are a lot of situations in this world that we too could hardly comprehend just like what is happening to us nowadays. Most of us are asking, if God is real, full of love and most powerful why did He allow these things to happen? When reason dictates, it is either we will doubt the existence of God or we will perceive Him as a punishing God. This is the very reason why others are rejecting God or ignoring God in their life. To heal this pandemic, let us rely only on science and set aside praying to God to heal the world. Unfortunately when science did not perfectly work, it will surely lead mankind to restlessness, frustration and depression. Jesus in the gospel is inviting us to see our recent situation from above. He is asking us to see our situation through the eyes of Jesus. By faith, we do not only focus ourselves to discover the ultimate medicine to eradicate this sickness from the face of the earth but it invites us to obey the will of God even in a desperate situation. There is indeed a great difference between believing and understanding. What we need nowadays is more than understanding the natural phenomenon but believing so that we can reach to the level of supernatural phenomenon. Faith is teaching us that life is beyond this world which will definitely never be digested by our human reason. Faith gives us peace, hope and joy even in the midst of turmoil.
The tendency of human rationality is to improve and modify what is already on hand but faith makes us realize that every day is always a brand new day given by the Lord to live a new life. Reason tells us that life in this world can be enjoyed temporally but faith teaches us that perfect life is eternal happiness in the home of the Father.