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

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

We hear many negative stories about the Pharisees throughout scripture, but Nicodemus is special. He knows there’s something extraordinary about Jesus, and he reaches out to speak to him one-on-one because he hungers for answers.  As I imagine him speaking with Jesus late at night, I wonder if he had any idea what a gift it was to be alone with Jesus? Occasionally, I am in the Adoration chapel by myself, and I love those moments of sincere conversation.

Jesus is a master at meeting people where they are, and in this conversation, He responds to Nicodemus as a highly educated and respected scholar. He refers to Moses and the lifting of the bronze serpent, a story Nicodemus would know very well. What Nicodemus doesn’t know is that the bronze serpent prefigures Jesus’ future crucifixion. Nicodemus is not ready to know this, so Jesus simply gives him more to ponder. The beauty of this conversation is that there will be a day when it all makes sense.

Jesus speaks of the wind that we know is there because we hear the sounds and feel the breeze, but we don’t know how it came nor where it’s going. Our new birth in the Spirit is like the wind. We know when it happens as we experience the fruits of the Holy Spirit, but we cannot see it nor control it.

Like He did for Nicodemus, Jesus also gives us much to ponder, and the Holy Spirit stirs in us the desire to learn more. Jesus meets us where we are, just like we meet our children where they are. At different stages, they are ready for deeper realities of the Passion and death of Jesus, so we pray that what and how we teach them will set ablaze their faith journey.

 

Ponder:

 

When was the last time you sensed the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?

 

Pray:


Lord Jesus, we thank You for meeting us where we are in our faith. We pray for the desire to better understand Your love for us, so that our love for you will be intensified.

 

Daily Gospel 2

 

Copyright 2025 Lorraine Hess

 

About the Author

Lorraine Hess

Lorraine Hess

Lorraine Hess is a nationally published Catholic singer, songwriter, speaker, and recording artist from New Orleans. She is Director of Music Ministry at St. Catherine of Siena, New Orleans and has served in music ministry since age sixteen. Lorraine has seven albums of original sacred music, and has performed in the US, Canada, and Europe. For more info, visit LorraineHess.com.