Born of the Spirit – Reflection on John 3:7b-15
One aspect of being born of the Spirit is to believe that God is directly participating with our soul. We can recognize the Holy Spirit by manifesting the love between Jesus and the Father from our soul outward for ourselves and others. It is stunning that we are given the choice to willingly accept that being born from above is the wondrous and mysterious reality Jesus speaks of. By the mystery of voluntarily continuing to believe that Jesus is our Savior, we participate in eternal life. While here on earth, we need the Spirit as our guide to help expand our goodness to increasingly bring Jesus, as the Good News, into the world. St. John of the Cross states the need to listen for the Spirit far more eloquently than I ever could, “For the Spirit of God has this property, that it increases good by adding to it more good.”
Interview between Jesus and Nicodemus by James Tissot. (full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflections
John 3:7b-15 – Scripture*
7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 3:7b-15 Reflection – Born of the Spirit.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 3 passage.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Born of the Spirit
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.