Ordinary Time

Pause

Holy Spirit, come breathe on me.

Awaken me to your presence.

Steady me in your truth.

Holy Spirit, come breathe on me.

Listen

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Jesus answered, “I assure you, unless someone is born anew, it’s not possible to see God’s kingdom.”

John 3:1-3

Think

Something happens at night. After all assignments are complete, your To-Do list checked off, emails and text messages sent and received, Instagram all caught up, books read, videos watched — after all the things that can be done are as done as they can be, something happens, or rather — something can happen. If we sit with our eyes closed, if we let our thoughts rest for even two uninterrupted minutes, if we breathe deeply and pay attention, we can make room for that something. And that something is the voice of God within.

It may happen at any hour of the day, but there’s something special about the night. We are alone with our thoughts at night. It can be a scary and anxious time, but it can also be holy, for the Spirit of God is with us in the darkness. In fact, God is already there. Just as the Rabbi was there for Nicodemus late at night, Jesus, our Rabbi, is there for us too. God knows what weighs heavy on our hearts and is beside us.

Aram Bae

Pray

Jesus who was with Nicodemus in the dark, remind me that you are with me today, too. Help me to seek you even in the dark because you are the light in the darkness. Encourage and empower me to be a light to all those around me. Amen.

Go

Spirit of the living God, be alive and real in my life.

Spirit of a loving God, be near and true to your word.

Spirit of a just God, be honored in what I say and do.