J 3,7-15

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for meditation: Nicodemus meets Jesus at night. The meeting place can be a garden.

Ask for the fruit of meditation: for the desire to meet Jesus

1. You must be born from above.

This phrase is translated in two ways: “to be born again” or “to be born from above”. The first understanding underlines the radical transformation of life resulting from trust in Jesus, and the second means that spiritual life is a gift from God, not something you can earn (see New Testament for Moderators, Vocatio, page 226, footnotes).

Both understandings are consistent with each other. I accept my life as a gift because I trust Jesus and my trust and faith change my life. This change of life does not mean that you change your husband, wife, order or quit your job. Rather, it is a change in your way of thinking, perception of the world, your duties, your everyday life, other people and yourself. Quarantine time associated with a coronavirus pandemic can help verify your life, your values and priorities. You can experience the feeling of loss and pain of being born again. You may feel it is difficult to cross your comfort zone, but the birth ends with joy from a new life.What is in your life born again?

2. … that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

God wants us to experience his love and eternal life now. Eternal life is knowing God and his mercy.

Pope Francis in Bull Misericordiae Vultus writes:

<<Mercy: the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us. Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness.>>

How do these words resonate in you? How do you experience God’s love and eternal life in the context of the above words?

3.Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Jesus comes to you, not to condemn you, but to give you salvation, to save you. Jesus is coming … meet him as you can.

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar, such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)