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“Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:6–8

Today’s Gospel offers us an opportunity to ponder the relationship between faith and reason. Is it good to live our lives according to human reason? Certainly! The natural virtue of prudence is the ability to use our human reason to discern the right course of action in any given situation, choosing what is most reasonable to achieve good and avoid harm. Unfortunately, we often make choices based not on prudence but on unruly passions and disordered desires. Prudence helps us cut through the confusion so we can choose the most reasonable course of action.

Natural prudence, however, is not enough if we want to choose God’s will in all circumstances. God’s will is not contrary to reason and natural prudence; it is above what our natural minds alone can discern. This was the struggle Nicodemus had in today’s Gospel.

Nicodemus, a well-respected Pharisee, “came to Jesus at night” to converse with Him. Jesus warmly welcomed him and their conversation ensued. Some Church Fathers have interpreted the detail that it was at night as a symbol of Nicodemus’ faith: it had not yet been enlightened by divinely revealed truth. He was clearly open and curious, knowing there was something special about Jesus, which is evidenced by his initial greeting: “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” (John 3:2). Nicodemus, familiar with Jesus’ miracles, understood that only God could empower one to do such things. This opened the door to his curiosity, which led him to seek Jesus out for a conversation.

What a beautiful starting point for faith! Like Nicodemus, when we encounter God’s almighty power in some way—such as during prayer, the holy virtues of another, or through our reading of the Scriptures—we will experience a certain tug on our hearts. We might not fully understand such an experience, but we must act on it. If we do not, we silence the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Nicodemus sought understanding, and Jesus’ response to him was exactly what he needed. Jesus did not address Nicodemus’ compliment; instead, He addressed Nicodemus as a person and said what he needed to hear: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Nicodemus responded in a way we are all tempted to do when we face a divine mystery—he tried to figure it out through the use of his natural reason alone: “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” (John 3:4). This is a common tendency. We want to figure things out so they make sense. However, the only way to make sense of life is to allow our human reason to be informed and elevated by the grace of the Holy Spirit. For that reason, Jesus continued to insist on speaking mysteriously, to draw Nicodemus beyond natural prudential judgments into supernatural understanding.

Reflect today on the mysterious ways the Holy Spirit communicates to you. Like the wind, the Holy Spirit moves through our lives, unseen yet transformative, refreshing our souls with His gentle guidance. We cannot direct His movements, but we can recognize His presence in the stirrings of grace and the fruits of goodness in our lives. When we allow ourselves to be carried by the Spirit, we find ourselves led in directions we might never have chosen on our own but that always lead us closer to God’s will and His Kingdom.

Lord of true Wisdom, Your thoughts are far above our thoughts and Your ways are far above our ways. Please bestow upon me, and upon all Your children, Your Holy Spirit so that we can always discern and choose Your holy will. I pray that Your grace will enlighten my natural reason so that I may know and love You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.

Image: Visit of Nicodemus to Christ by John La Farge

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Monday of the Second Week of Easter - Faith and Reason