Jn 3:1-8
1There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2He 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 can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
5Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
WITHOUT BEING BORN FROM ABOVE. Nicodemus misunderstands Jesus’ statement on the necessity of being born from above as of being born again. This misunderstanding may perhaps explain the continued disagreement between Catholics and “Born-again” Christians. One should continue to read not just verse 3, to fully understand what Jesus really meant. No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. I would understand that Jesus meant both the waters of John the Baptist and the Spirit he promised. And we, Catholics, are born again and from above in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, where we receive both water and the Spirit.
As with Thomas, Nicodemus does not insist on his unbelief but believes. The problem with the many different religions is not faith but insistence on their understanding of faith. Rigidity and inclusivity will not allow the wind to blow where it wills.