To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Catholic Men’s Devotionals, Week 3 – Common Taters On the Axe

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicode'mus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born anew. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:3–8

There is a scene in one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie books where the whole town is gathered at the schoolhouse for an evening of entertainment. During the last round of a game of charades, Pa Ingalls walks to the front of the room with a couple of potatoes balanced on the head of an axe. No one can figure out what the phrase is. Finally, Pa says, “It’s Common Taters on the Axe!” — Commentators on the Acts (of the Apostles). It is so clever and yet so simple that everyone misses the point.

When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, our Lord presented him with “common taters”: a no-nonsense answer to the deepest longing in Nicodemus’ heart. It was simple and direct, something a child would be able to grasp. Yet the phrase about being born used in the passage has a double meaning. It can be translated as “born again” or “born from above.” As a result, Nicodemus became confused about the kind of rebirth Jesus was really offering him. This great teacher of the law was unable to grasp the simple truth that Jesus had come to bring us new birth in him.

Catholic men are often equally slow to learn the simple truth of what it means to believe in Jesus. We are self-reliant, intellectual, strong-willed adults who try so hard to be men of faith that we miss the point of what having faith is all about. Jesus, in his conversation with Nicodemus, has the fresh ideas we need. Consider the following:

1.         We often complicate what is very simple and fail to act in God’s way.

As Catholics, we often focus so hard on understanding our faith that we stumble over the most basic of truths. This can cause us to respond to others with an air of superiority, or to fail to act to change our world. We must remember that Jesus offers us truths that are absolutely profound, but also simple enough for any child to understand.

2.         “Amen, Amen” means to pay attention.

Twice in his meeting with Nicodemus, Jesus says to him, “Amen, amen.” This was to let Nicodemus — and all of us — know how critical it is for us to accept this truth about being born from above. It is crucial for understanding what his death on the cross and our salvation are all about. Without this clarity, we may forget that we are called to live in such a way as to bring the power and presence of heaven into the lives of those around us.

3.         We do not live according to the flesh.

Jesus came in the flesh to bring salvation from above. We are called to see beyond our senses to understand the workings of God in our lives, our Church, and our world. Being born from above means we see life through the lens of heaven and live out in the fullest way possible the kingdom of God in the here and now. True rebirth in Christ is a matter of Spirit and faith carried out in actions that reflect God’s perfect Law of Love.

4.         There is no other way to heaven.

The resurrection life and the perfect love of Christ take us a lifetime to learn as we work out our journey to heaven one trembling step at a time. If we fail to be men who are truly born from above, we will fail to build the kingdom of God and draw others into the Church. We must live and act for God’s purposes, for no other way will bring us to our home.

5.         The wind of the Spirit blows where it will.

We cannot grasp how the Holy Spirit works, how the sacraments bring us grace, or how God takes our weakness and turns it into his strength. Yet we know that all these things are the power that moves us to will and to act according to God’s good purposes. Knowing the Spirit of God works out all things to the good allows us to move with the freedom that can come only from perfect trust. This is how we build the kingdom, day by day.

A Call to Action

This week let all your actions reflect the simple truth of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God’s perfect love was made manifest in the Incarnation and found its fulfillment on the cross. Put aside your struggle to believe in Christ’s love and cast away your self-condemnation or self-aggrandizement. Surrender to this great love so that you can share it with others who so desperately need it.

You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth devotionals HERE