Saturday, October 2, 2021

 October 2, Saturday

BEING BORN AGAIN

Psalm 121

For God so loved the world he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NRSV)

            Martín Luther called this verse “the summary of the Gospel,” for it was the essence of the Christian message. Jesus told Nicodemus that to understand the Kingdom of God he had to be born again. Many of us are like Nicodemus. He is polite, a leader who is interested in doing the right thing, is curious and questions what goes on around him. Nicodemus wanted to understand faith, he wanted to know who Jesus was and for everything to make sense; his curiosity leads him to walk away from his group and see Jesus at night to ask him these questions. Nicodemus asks, admitting that Jesus had impacted him, but also admitting that he wanted to know more. Unfortunately, he received affirmations that made things even worse for him. To be born again through water and the Spirit was not something that could be earned, nor achieved.

            Today’s Gospel invites us to walk the paths of faith, giving our hearts as best we can, always seeking the God who loves us so much, the one who loves himself so much as to give himself for our good. All that moves God in this project of being born again is love. It is mystery and gift.

 

Prayer: Lord, teach us to approach You without prejudice, distrust, or arrogance. We need to be born again by your Spirit so that we can be what you want us to be. Amen.

 

Translation by Pat Metcalf

 

 

Octubre 2,  sábado

VOLVER A NACER

Salmo 121

Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo que entregó a su Hijo único para que todo aquel que en él cree, no perezca, sino que tenga vida eterna.

Juan 3:16

            Martín Lutero llamó este versículo “el resumen del Evangelio”, pues era la esencia del mensaje cristiano. Jesús le dijo a Nicodemo que para entender el Reino de Dios debía nacer otra vez. Muchos de nosotros nos parecemos a Nicodemo. Es educado, un líder que está interesado en hacer lo correcto, es curioso y cuestiona lo que sucede a su alrededor. Nicodemo quería entender la fe, quería saber quién era Jesús y que todo tuviera sentido; su curiosidad le lleva a alejarse de su grupo y ver a Jesús de noche para hacerle  estas preguntas. Nicodemo pregunta, admitiendo que Jesús le había impactado, pero también admitiendo que quería saber más. Lamentablemente recibió afirmaciones que empeoraron aun más las cosas para él. Volver a nacer mediante el agua y el Espíritu no era algo que podía ganarse, ni conseguir.

            El Evangelio de hoy nos invita a transitar por los caminos de la fe entregando nuestro corazón lo mejor que podamos, buscando siempre al Dios que tanto nos ama, ese que tal modo ama como  para darse a sí mismo por nuestro bien. Todo lo que mueve a Dios en este proyecto de volver a nacer es el amor. Es misterio y regalo.

 

Oración: Señor, enséñanos a acercarnos a Ti sin prejuicios, desconfianza, o arrogancias. Necesitamos nacer de nuevo por tu Espíritu para poder ser lo que Tú deseas. Amén.

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