Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

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YEAR B

2 Chr 36,14-16.19-23; Eph 2,4-10; Jn 3,14-21

Light & Darkness 

The story of Nicodemus; ‘Nikodemos’ is a Greek name and it was common at the time of Jesus: it means "Conqueror of people". In Jesus language it was "Naqdimon" and was shortened as "Naqai". He is mentioned only in John’s Gospel (3,1-21 -- 7,50 -- 19,39). He is portrayed as a prominent Pharisee - a member of the ruling class in Judea - a member of Sanhedrin or Jewish Parliament. John’s Gospel implies that he is a wealthy man and Jesus himself calls him an ‘outstanding teacher of Israel’. All seems to suggest that Nicodemus was a prominent Jewish politician under the Roman Empire. John’s Gospel presents Nicodemus on three occasions: first, in today’s story: he comes by night to engage Jesus on important topics and is confronted with the necessity ‘to be born again’ and to accept the consequence of that experience. Next, Nicodemus appears in a failed attempt to arrest Jesus, six months before He was crucified: while Chief-Priests and Pharisees seek to condemn Jesus as a deceiver, Nicodemus argues that the Law cannot condemn anyone, until a fair hearing is conducted (7,51). In response, he himself is accused of being a follower of the Galilean. Finally, Nicodemus appears after the death of Jesus, bringing a large quantity of spices to anoint the body of Jesus (19,38-42). Each time, Nicodemus is presented as the man who went to see Jesus by night: with this, the Gospel may suggest that He was afraid to be seen in public with Jesus. However Nicodemus was quite courageous. It can be argued that he came by night, not out of fear, but to avoid the pressing crowds and thus, have a chance of a long interview with Jesus. Notice too how his reaction to the council’s desire to arrest Jesus was boldly calculated to bring out the irony of their lawless act, at the very moment in which they were ridiculing the lawless behaviour of the ‘crowd’ (7,49-51). He certainly showed courage at the scene of the cross, while the disciples had run for their lives & abandoned Jesus.

Misunderstandings & Understandings. Nicodemus stands for the typical disciple who moves from darkness to light, while tragically, Judas stands for those who move from light towards total darkness and betrayal (13,30). In the end, Nicodemus brings the costly ointments for the burial of Jesus, to express perhaps, a vague love, and honour in death, the One who was executed as ‘King of the Jews’. But he remains puzzled as to how God’s plan was realized. Nicodemus stands for so many of us who have a partial faith in Jesus, and like him, are inspired by the ‘signs’ or miracles, which Jesus did. Let this be a lesson for us: there is a sad reality: ‘the Light has come into the world, but people love the darkness rather than the light’(3,19). This is the case at the time of Nicodemus and at our time; in many ways we -the readers of all time- are still in darkness, still searching, still trying to understand. Nicodemus stands as a representative of the Jews at Jesus’ time: learned, ruler, teacher & Pharisee, he had the best that Judaism could offer; and yet none of that was adequate to comprehend the amazing difference that Jesus makes in our life. On the positive side however, Nicodemus is an illustration of the power that the teaching of Christ has to attract people of good will in every age: regardless of education, wealth, piety or circumstances, the opportunity is offered to us all to respond in faith. The people of our generation, just like the Pharisees at Jesus’ time, need a strong conviction, to come to the light of Christ: without this light we are not able to understand God’s plan in Jesus Christ and the salvation that is brought through his death and resurrection.

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