Nicodemus

The first describes Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus. Rabbi, says this leader of the Jews, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him (John 3:2). Jesus, my children, answers with a phrase which is apparently unrelated to what Nicodemus has said, but which catches his attention and wins him over. He starts up a dialogue: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

Thus begins this conversation that you know well. You also know the outcome: at the hour of the “failure of the Cross”, Nicodemus will be there to ask Pilate boldly for our Lord’s body.

The Samaritan woman

But what about the Samaritan woman? Doesn’t Jesus do the same thing with her? He begins to talk with her, taking the initiative, even though non enim coutuntur Iudaei Samaritanis (John 4:9), Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus talks about what he knows will interest that woman, about the water she must toil to fetch every day from Jacob’s well. He then describes a living water so marvellous that the one who drinks it will never be thirsty again: qui autem biberit ex aqua, quam ego dabo ei, non sitiet in aeternum;⁹ whoever drinks of it shall never thirst.

The fruit of Christ’s dialogue also appears in the Gospel. It is the conversion of that sinner, the transformation of her soul, which becomes an apostolic soul: venite et videte hominem, qui dixit mihi omnia quaecumque feci: numquid ipse est Christus (John 4:29); come and see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ? Another fruit is the faith of the other Samaritans who first believed in him because of the woman’s testimony (John 4:39) and then said, It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world (John 4:42).

The rich young man

On another occasion it is a rich young man – from a good family, we would say nowadays – who asks our Lord a question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18). And Jesus replies: “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honour your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” (Matt 19:17-20).

No room for compromise

From a human point of view, my children, that was the obvious moment for compromise. What more could be desired than to have that rich, influential young man – dives erat valde¹⁰ – join the group of Christ’s followers? But there was only one answer that Jesus could give, because when it comes to doctrine there is no room for compromise, even though it might seem that, by making concessions, we will attain apostolic results. Our Lord’s reply is full of affection – so much so, that when the young man went away sorrowful, it wrung a lament from the heart of God – but it is clear, emphatic and without any ambiguities that conceal the rigour of the truth: One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me (Luke 18:22).

Christ and the two thieves

There is still another example, the one Jesus gave us from the Cross, as if to teach us that our zeal for souls and our concern to reach those around us, should express itself even at the moment of death. Jesus engaged in that moving conversation on Golgotha with the two thieves crucified alongside him.

This time it was not Jesus who began the conversation. But his presence on the scaffold and his sufferings were more eloquent than words. Are you are not the Christ? Save yourself and us! blasphemed the bad thief. But the good thief said, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, “Domine, memento mei..., Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:39-42). My children, Jesus’ brief intervention in that conversation between the two criminals meant salvation for the repentant thief: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 2:43).