The era of love

Nicodemus was a master of the Law and an eminent Pharisee, a man not closed to the spirit by science or by his eminence. In short, his was a sincere and open heart. Nevertheless, he belonged to the hierarchical structure obliging him to proceed with caution since Jesus was already a marked man. Nevertheless, and we do not know why, he felt a deep admiration or Jesus and ardently wanted to speak with him.

For that reason, like a cautious man, he went secretly to see Jesus at night. Jesus received him cordially; seated beneath the flickering lamplight, Nicodemus began to speak: — “The echoes of the Jordan have bounced back to our walls, Teacher of Nazareth. We are informed that the finger of God has marked a sign on your forehead. I have followed your every step and have been able to observe closely the power of your arm and the clarity of your mind.”

— “Master of the Law,” Jesus answered, “love transforms the wind into song on the condition that the flute is empty. To those who give with joy, they will be given the reward of joy on the condition that the heart is empty of self. I am singing a tune for you, but no one dances because they are too old, and their bones have become brittle. It is necessary to be born anew, Teacher of the Law. I invited them to go up to the heights of the mountain in order to contemplate the beauty of the world, but they answered that they live in the valley and sleep in caves. Truly, truly I say: If they do not leave the caves, if they do not come out from their mother’s womb into the light, they will never have an idea of the Kingdom. It is necessary to be born anew, Teacher of the Law.” —“The old,” replied Nicodemus, “go down into the earth with their bones hard and calcified. Never has anyone seen an aged flesh be transformed into the rosy flesh of a child. Is it possible to return to the mother’s womb to be born anew?” — “Have you ever seen the wind, Master of the Law?” Jesus asked. “It blows; it howls, dragging along yellowed leaves. It moves the arms of windmills, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. Between the stones of the desert where one least expects it, a wild flower grows, humble and graceful. In the same way, the future is unforeseeable. From an almond tree sprouts an almond; from an acorn, an oak; from the wild vine, a clump of wild vines; from flesh is born flesh and from the spirit, the spirit is born. But this is the question: It is necessary to be born anew. I have seen wonder cross your eyes because I said that it is necessary to be born anew.

The night falls; the day is born. One dies to the flesh; one is born in the spirit. Truly, truly I tell you: if you do not make yourself as small as the seed, you will never be reborn. Only those who are empty of themselves, the deprived, the insignificant, will enter through the doors of the Kingdom.” — “How can that be, Teacher of Nazareth? I do not understand a word of what you are saying”. — “One only knows what is lived,” responded Jesus. “It was said of old: God is fire. I tell you: God is love. We speak only of what we have seen and heard from the beginning. God is not made of silicon, but of living fibers. We have experienced currents of tenderness emanate from the heart of the Father. We give testimony to what we have seen and heard, but you close your eyes to our testimony.” —“Not at all, my soul is open to your words like a flower to the sun,” responded Nicodemus. — “You only understand human calculations.” Jesus said. “I give you so much, you give me so much; I pay so much, you gain so much; for such a cause, such an effect; such merit, such a reward; such a sin, such punishment. Truly I say to you: they are laws that pertain to earth. I have come to inaugurate a heavenly era.

He who walked beyond the Milky Way looked on this world and saw nothing but stones, poison ivy and tangled brambles. From the depths of his being, he felt a living flame of love ascend: it was his own Son. Then, a mighty wind buffeted the shores of the oceans of the Father; it was compassion. Then followed a strong wind that battered his doors; it was mercy. Finally, a gentle breeze promenaded in his heart: it was tenderness. So, the Father decided to send his only Son, the most beloved, not to condemn the world, but to save it. From that moment, nothing is earned; everything is received. This is the heavenly era, the era of gratuity, the era of love.” From the book The Poor of Nazareth by Father Ignacio Larrañaga