Take note of that wind

I have always been fascinated by this text from John's gospel for today, John 3:7-15, where Jesus says to Nicodemus, 'The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit." We are called to believe in the power of baptism and, through that sacrament, to believe in the movement of the Spirit. I have seen people make extraordinary commitments even in the face of violence and possible risk to their lives. Often enough, these are people whom you would least expect to stand up for people's rights because they seemed so timid or unnoticeable. I remember a friend in Fiji who, many years ago, lost his job, a well-paid and prominent position in government, because he spoke out about how overseas aid was being siphoned off by government people following a natural disaster. He made this decision after a social analysis seminar where we looked at structural injustice in society which led to inequality and corruption. In the end, higher authorities in government found out that what he was saying was true and he was restored to his position and others were shown the door. But it was one of those examples of people who, moved by the Spirit, felt the need to take action and it took everyone by surprise because no one expected that he would have the courage to do what he did. Let us pray for that same Spirit to move through our lives and help us to be willing to take action in support of the rights of others.