For Sunday Lent 2A
Collect
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Reading
Reflection
Nicodemus is a religious leader. He has wisdom — historical, theological, biblical — and training. He is part of a network of spiritual gurus who help guide the faithful on their spiritual journeys. He is one of the most respected figures in Judea. But he is alone in coming to Jesus. Afraid to be seen. Why?
In one sense, it is quite obvious — it could be politically problematic for him. That we get this instinctively is quite revealing. Because we are almost too understanding of this. Which is also revealing about us. That we allow it to be so normal. To hide our questions, our curiosities, our relationships. Or that we expect our leaders to be duplicitous and dishonest, to hide negotiations and intentions. Or their real selves.
But people are beginning to flock to Jesus. It isn’t yet politically dangerous to be associated with him. Perhaps the more glaring thing to note is that this fear is self-imposed. That he fears the effect on his reputation. Like a therapist having a therapist. This, as any therapist will tell you, is the hubris of perceived perfection. That there is nothing more important for the healer than to receive healing, for the wise than to learn, for the life bringer than to be alive. Perhaps his fear is all on him.