The Gospel passage of Nicodemus coming to meet Jesus in the night is familiar to us. It symbolises the darkness, the lack of faith, that surrounds Nicodemus. A dialogue takes place between him and Jesus. Gradually, it turns into a monologue whereby Jesus takes centre stage and Nicodemus disappears from the scene.

The dialogue enlightens us that God's love is the key principle for the salvation of the world. God is filled with such a great love that He has gifted the world with His own Son, not to condemn the world but to save it. The whole of creation, and particularly humanity, is the object of God's love which Jesus came to reveal. However, the actions of human beings themselves also has a role to play in determining their salvation or condemnation. To gain salvation means to believe in Jesus and perform deeds in God.

The second reading highlights the conflict between the old leadership by the Jewish authorities and the new leadership in the form of the Apostles. God confirms the leadership of the Apostles by freeing them from prison and sending them back to the temple to preach to the people. When the high priest complains of their disobedience in continuing to preach Jesus, Peter states that leadership must obey God and not men. It shows that the world is saved by God's love, our love of God and obedience to Him.