In today’s reflection from Mass, we explore the need to ask questions so that our faith may grow in understanding.
BIBLE READINGS: The readings for Monday of the Second Week of Easter can be found here
Have you ever been in meeting or a training session and not quite understood something but didn’t have the courage to ask a question—in case it makes you appear vague or even stupid? Perhaps, there has been an occasion when you’ve asked that question, and you’ve felt a sigh of relief in the room as you realise that you’re not the only one who didn’t quite grasp the point.
When Nicodemus seeks out Jesus, he is alone and under cover of darkness. He doesn’t want to be seen with Jesus and yet he believes that there is something significant about him. He says, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him,” but he needs to find out more. So hidden from the sight of others, he approaches Jesus with questions—which Jesus answers, and which then create further questions. He doesn’t quite understand what Jesus means by being born again. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asks.
Our life of faith is full of questions. Quite often, the children of the church are far better at asking questions about faith than many adults. When we ask questions, it doesn’t mean that we are refusing to believe, but that we want to believe more. It doesn’t mean that we don’t know anything, but that we want to have an even fuller understanding. St Anselm talked about having “faith which seeks understanding.” Like Nicodemus, we can be not just inquisitive but have a deeper desire to glimpse the mystery of God in Christ. So next time you don’t quite understand something, don’t forget to ask!
Mass today is at S Dyfrig and S Church at 630pm
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