Daily Gospel Reflection for April 18, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 3:7b-15

I like to know what’s coming. I like to have a plan, and while I’ve gotten more flexible over the years, I still prefer an organized approach to life to “winging it.”

And yet, reading today’s Gospel, I can’t help but feel like Jesus is nudging me, once again, into the wonders He has in store, blessings that seem to stem from spontaneity.

It’s a mindset change. “The wind blows where it wills . . . but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes,” Jesus advises, and then clinches it for us:

“So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is a gift to us, but I can’t help but sometimes feel like He is also a bit like a crazy grandmother. He is not limited by politeness or time. He gets an idea and invites—perhaps with a bit more persuasion than I’d like.

Nicodemus didn’t understand it, and I don’t either. “We speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony,” and when Jesus pulls out the “you people” card, I find myself relating to him more than I probably should.

Going into “you people” mode is usually a sign that I need to lock myself away for a few minutes and take some calming breaths. But maybe Jesus understands my frustrations more than I’ve given Him credit for, and maybe, in fact, He’s inviting me to stretch.

Maybe the Holy Spirit is asking me to let go even more, to trust that maybe God knows what He’s doing when He guides me toward what looks like a crazy, nonsensical outcome.

Ponder:

How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to reach for more (even if it looks insane)? When can you spend a few moments with Him to learn more?

Pray:

Jesus, thanks for the ongoing invitation to go beyond my comfort zones. Please walk with me as I explore what in the world the Holy Spirit has in store for me today.