Born Again: Embracing the Mystery of Baptism
April 28, 2025 - Monday of the Second Week of Easter
John 3:1-8
In John 3:1-8, the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus unveils the mystery of spiritual rebirth. Jesus describes this transformation through the evocative imagery of being “born again” or “born from above”—a process effected through water and the Spirit. Each phrase points to a transformative experience that fundamentally changes one’s life.
St. Justin Martyr (ca. 100–165 AD) distinguished between natural and spiritual birth. He observed that “at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice by our parents coming together,” calling us “the children of necessity and of ignorance.” Yet through baptism, we are given the opportunity to become “the children of choice and knowledge” (see Justin Martyr, First Apology 61).
For many baptized as infants, the full power of these words may seem elusive. However, the grace of baptism works within us like a seed—nurturing transformation day and night until its power suddenly compels us to change our life's direction. Saint Francis’s dramatic renunciation of a privileged life in favor of a path marked by humility and service exemplifies how baptismal grace can radically redirect our course.
During St. Justin’s time, the sacrament of baptism was often called “illumination”—a term that aptly captures its role in enlightening our hearts and minds. As the Catechism reminds us, baptism “not only purifies from all sins, but also makes us a new creature.” Saint Paul reinforces this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Moreover, baptism allows us to participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and transforms us into living temples of the Holy Spirit (see CCC, 1265). Those who, enlightened by God’s grace, grasp this mystery have truly chosen to be born from above.
The one who is born of the Spirit is compared to the wind that “blows where it wills” (John 3:8), a metaphor that evokes both freedom and mystery. Mother Teresa’s decision to leave a life of relative comfort to serve the poorest of the poor in Calcutta powerfully illustrates this unpredictable and liberating work of the Holy Spirit—much like the wind that moves without constraint.
Although Jesus’ words may seem distant at times, the lives of the saints remind us of grace’s transformative power. The journey toward spiritual rebirth often begins with a sense of dissatisfaction—a longing for a life that transcends mere fame, power, or wealth. Let us pause and invite the mysterious, liberating power of the Spirit to redirect our lives toward a deeper, more authentic relationship with God.