Jan. 10 - Born of the Spirit

Greetings beloved,

The Bible relates in the Gospel of St. John chapter 3 how Jesus had been performing miracles in the temple. The Jewish leaders were carefully observing Him and one of them, Nicodemus, desiring to know more about the kingdom of God and to meet Jesus face to face, went to Him secretly at night.

Nicodemus said to Jesus “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:2-6).

To follow Jesus into the kingdom of God requires an inner spiritual change. In order to turn towards God, to receive Jesus Christ and receive this inner change we must turn away from our sinful ways (Repent). To repent is to change our minds. It's a conscious act of will; it means to turn our backs on our sins, and to experience a change of direction. Once we do this, God will begin speaking to our conscience through His Holy Spirit and His Word (the Bible). Baptism is the outward symbolism which signifies this inward change.

Today's world looks at Christians with disdain, considering Christians to be uneducated, narrow-minded dolts who place their faith in a handful of cleverly crafted fables. This could not be farther from the truth. Like Nicodemus, they just don't understand. Once a person is led by God's Holy Spirit to turn from their sins, stop trusting in themselves, and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives, they become new people in attitude and motivation. Their eyes are opened to God's truth and His truth sets them free. This is what it means to be Born of the Spirit. Are you born of the Spirit?

Pray with me... Almighty God and Everlasting Father, help us to repent and turn from our sinful ways, grant us a change of heart, mind and direction. Help us to acknowledge Your Son Jesus as the Lord and Master of our everyday lives. Place Your Spirit within us that we may be born of Your Spirit. In Jesus precious name we pray. AMEN!

God's blessings to you all,
Fr. Ernest+