Clergy Notes — March 1, 2026

There are a number of encounters in the Gospel of John between Jesus and those he comes across; encounters quite unlike those recorded in the other Gospels. They are not brief moments of healing or admonishment, but sustained interactions characterized by deep, theological conversation through which the person is transformed, and goes away to proclaim the Good News. Although the word ‘apostle’ doesn’t actually occur in John’s Gospel, these people nevertheless become apostles through word and action.

Nicodemus is just such a person. Jesus engages him in a deeply theological conversation, according to the pattern. But unlike the others Jesus encounters in this way, Nicodemus is not immediately transformed. In fact, it seems he never reaches a point of understanding in this conversation at all. We don’t know what he does after this, but we see him twice more: first defending Jesus in front of the temple leaders, then preparing Jesus’ body for burial. His transformation is not immediate; it takes time.

So why does this matter for us in Lent? Perhaps because – like Nicodemus looking for logical answers – we too are often looking for a quick fix. On the outside we do all the ‘right’ things, but then we give up when we aren’t suddenly holier, or hearing God’s voice or feeling God’s presence the way we expect to. We get frustrated when things take longer than we want them to. We know what we want, and we want it now.

But discipleship doesn’t work like that… not much in life does, for that matter.

Thankfully, Jesus has experience dealing with human impatience, and does not give up on us. During those periods when nothing seems to be working, when all our prayers seem to fall flat, and when God seems very far away, we may be reminded by Nicodemus’ example that we cannot grow in discipleship through our own will: not by saying the right prayers, performing the correct rituals, or even faithfully executing our Lenten disciplines. Flesh does not give birth to Spirit: only God can do that. And when we are ready to be content with waiting on God, we discover that God was always there, waiting for us.

Mother Amanda

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