Monday of the Second Week of Easter
OR Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr
OR Optional Memorial of Saint Louis Mary de Montfort, Priest
John 3:1-8
A heart of faith, not just rules

In Nicodemus, we see the figure of a man who earnestly seeks God, yet is trapped within a religion of rules. His faith is sincere but limited—focused more on observance than relationship. Many of us fall into this pattern. We begin with love, but over time, our spiritual life can become a checklist of obligations.

A person once came to confession in tears, saying, “I couldn’t pray the Rosary today.” It struck me—was the sadness coming from a heart that missed being with Mary and Jesus, or from a fear of breaking a rule? When faith becomes only about compliance, we risk losing the joy and meaning behind our devotions. Even the holiest practices can become empty when they are no longer rooted in love.

This is why Jesus invites us to be born again. Easter is a season of renewal. It calls us to examine our lives and let go of the burdens that no longer nourish our souls. Sometimes, structures and routines that once supported our faith may now feel suffocating. God does not ask for perfection, but for openness to begin again—to walk with Him in a living, growing relationship.

Ultimately, the Christian life is not about what we do for God but how we walk with Him. Do you talk to Jesus? Do you let him speak to your heart? When we open ourselves to the Spirit, our faith becomes alive again. God wants to meet us in the depth of who we are—not through performance but through intimacy. With Him, our lives can be transformed. The only question is: Are we willing to change?

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025