Dear friends, in the gospel reading of today, we see a continuation from the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus which we began yesterday. It is about being born of water and the Holy Spirit, it is about being born anew. We often hear people ask this question “are you born again?” Nicodemus does not seem to understand what Jesus meant by being born anew. Jesus expresses surprise at this, being that he was a teacher of Israel’s law.
How is someone born again?
It is simply the new life in Christ. By the sacraments of the initiation (baptism, confirmation and the Holy Eucharist) we are ushered into the life of Christ. We become a new creation leaving behind our old selves.
How is this manifested?
There is no better way to know that we are born again other than the life we live. We begin to live like the apostles in the first reading, sharing our joys and love with one another. We live in peace with one another and we learn to hear the burdens of one another.
The new life in Christ is a transformed life that requires growing in virtues and doing a way with vices. St Catherine of sienna is a great example of this. We too can make a difference. We too can announce the gospel by our life.
May the Lord bless His words in our hearts. Amen.
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