It is no wonder that Jesus' words shocked Nicodemus so much. In his view, a place in the Kingdom of the coming Messiah was guaranteed to him by the very fact of being born to Jewish parents and belonging to the chosen people. But the Lord tells him, and us, that what is born of the flesh (that is, of people, even Jewish people) is flesh, and that in order to enter the Kingdom of the Spirit one must be born of water (receive baptism) and the Spirit (receive that gift of the Spirit which, according to the word of the Lord, everyone who believes in Him receives - John 7:38).

Of course, it is easy for you and me to smile at an authoritative Jewish teacher who does not understand such simple things, since we know what the Lord Jesus is speaking about. Yes, thanks be to God, unlike Nicodemus, we understand when the Teacher speaks "of earthly things"; but does that mean we will understand when He begins to speak "of heavenly things"? If He calls birth from the Spirit "earthly," what then is "heavenly"? Perhaps we should not exalt ourselves so much over Nicodemus; beside the Lord Jesus we always remain slow-witted disciples...

This verse helps us find the answer to the question of "unceasing prayer" (1 Thess 5:17). Before, when reflecting on monks, it was hard not to think about how difficult it must be for the poor men - all the time in prayer. Psalms on their lips, the tongue grows tired, and there is no time left to think about anything else. In short, you would not wish that on yourself. Of course, this is an exaggerated picture, but the Apostle Paul's call to unceasing prayer does not disappear.

Jesus Himself gives the answer to this. His words suggest to us that "unceasing prayer" does not mean sitting all day with a prayer book in hand. He says that people who strive toward the light and act according to the truth (that is, bring their lives into accord with the Creator's will) thereby do everything in the Lord Himself, and their works are "done in God." This is what makes the whole life of such people an unceasing prayer in word, deed, and even breath (Ps 150:6).

The coming of the Son of God into the world is a manifestation not of God's wrath, but of love. In today's reading Jesus says that God sent the Son not to judge, but to save. And at the same time, the very fact of the coming of the Son of God is already judgment, because He is light. In this light the most important thing becomes visible: people's hearts.

As long as He was not near, it was possible to pretend that everything was all right. More than that, one could say that one loved God and continue living in whatever way was convenient. When He is near, there is no longer any room for any lie. That is exactly why it was so hard for those who saw Him in the days of His earthly life, face to face, to receive Him.

We have believed without seeing Him. The question is what His light is for us: life and joy, or exposure? And do we truly want to meet Him? Let us pray that His light may enlighten our hearts and that He may become our life.