Meditation 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: The evening, it is already dark outside. The meeting scene can take place in the garden. A campfire is burning. See and hear the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. Maybe Nicodemus was surprised, maybe dissatisfied with the words of Jesus. How did Jesus react? Maybe you are with them.

Ask for the fruit of meditation: for the desire to learn to know about 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).

a) A radical change in life does not mean that you have to change your husband, wife, religion or leave your job. It refers rather to a change in the way of thinking, perceiving the world, their duties, their everyday life, other people and themselves. This change concerns finding the will of God in the reality in which you are now, asking yourself questions: why do I do something, what will be the greater good, which brings me closer to Christ? This change is based on trust. Think about what does it mean „ to be born above” in your life.

b) Spiritual life is a gift from God and you can not earn it.  Do we sometimes act in our lives as if we wanted to earn God’s love? Even more prayers, even more services, even more sacrifices for …. God loves you. If you are making something, it is only so that you can get to know God and get closer to him. He is with you. Did you have to do something to wake up today and get out of bed? I think not. This is one of the gifts you have already received. Look what other good things you have got from God today.

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. Meet Christ now to get to know him more.

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)