THE GOOD HYPOCRITE

Reflection for Monday of the 2^nd Week of Easter

(Acts 4:23-31; Jn 3:1-8)

The Pharisees were known for their double standards. They were virtually jealous of Jesus and opposed Him at every given opportunity. Surprisingly, one of the leading men among the Pharisees visited Jesus secretly. His camouflage and stealth movement towards Jesus is true to their way of life. What is Nicodemus looking for? It is obvious a life of hypocrisy cannot satisfy.

“This man came to Jesus by night.” Whatever made him to look for Jesus at such dark hour must be very important to him. He took the risk to find Jesus! Imagine the loneliness and silence of the moment as he tiptoed along the way... ‘Have you seen Him whom my soul loves’ (Cf. Song 3:4). The empty glamour of hypocrisy exposed Nicodemus within the hidden darkness of the night! So he risked his status and life to escape the pain of ‘nothingness’—the burden of hypocrisy.

He came in darkness to meet Jesus who is the Light! The prophecy of Simeon came to bare: that the secret thoughts of many may be revealed (Lk 2:35). Nicodemus confessed their hypocrisy, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God.” (Why then were you Pharisees opposing Him and accusing of blasphemy?) Jesus’ response was even more surprising...He was not interested in accusing Nicodemus or making him feel guilty, but He humbly and lovingly dispelled the ‘darkness’ he came with, opening to him the pathway to the Kingdom of God. “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Hypocrisy does not target Heaven but it aims to protect a false self-ego. The world often create avenues that encourage us to be hypocritical: to package our outlook, to be politically correct, to adapt accent and be fluent in speech, to project religiosity and moral perfection, etc. It is unnecessary pain to carry a false self. Nicodemus got tired of denying Jesus, and sought Him out in the night. In the mist of the darkness of our lives, we can still find Jesus... Actually, it was the beauty of Jesus that drew him close. Through Nicodemus Jesus revealed more about Himself and the way to Heaven.

Our lives will be ready grounds for all forms of hypocrisy if our words and actions do not project that Jesus is the Christ. “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church

Tedi, Lagos.

Monday, April 29, 2019.