Darkness, secrecy, silence, don’t ask, don’t tell…How come?  Why?  Nic at night?   My high school sophomore scripture scholars have coined this title.  I can take no credit for it.

 Nicodemus, the Pharisee, the prominent, well-respected Jewish leader, wants to know more about this Jesus character.  But…no one must know; no one must find out he is talking to Jesus.  What would they think?  Imagine the criticism, the judgment, the assumptions.  And so…in lovely Johannine style, he goes to see Jesus at night, under the cloak of darkness, in secret and without being seen.   And Jesus seems to be fascinated by what Nicodemus does not know and does not understand.  It is always good, don’t forget, dear sisters, to speak to what we know, what we have seen, and of course, what we are absolutely positive of.  But what about the things I’m not so certain of, the things I don’t know for sure, the questions I continue to ponder?

 I will never be a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin…but I am a 21^st century Dominican.  I like to think that I am pretty clear about what I believe about Jesus.  I could take comfort in the 36 years I have spent in religious life after all.  I get it…but unlike Nicodemus…can I raise the question in bright sunlight? Can I confront up close and with conviction?  Can I stand at the microphone and take an unpopular stand?  Am I willing to be quoted?  That’s Peggy Ann--two words, no E.                            Belief=eternal life…Absolutely!