Are Catholics Born-Again Christians?

If you were ever asked whether you were a "born-again Christian," you might have felt a bit nervous and were uncertain on how to reply. This reaction would be understandable since the terminology is often associated with certain fundamentalist Protestant groups. There is a sense, however, that being "born again" is at the heart of our understanding of what it means to grow spiritually in the Lord Jesus. The next time the question is raised, I would suggest one respond firmly: "Yes, of course I am born again!"

The term "born again" and similar terms are used in a number of places in the New Testament. In Chapter 3 of John's Gospel, Jesus tells Nicodemus: "Amen, Amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God, without being born from above." Nicodemus retorts: "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus replies: "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit." (see John 3:3-5)

Our Catholic tradition holds that rebirth takes place by faith and Baptism through which the Holy Spirit immerses the believer into Christ and initiates him into the community of believers, the Church. The sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist complete this initiation. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Nos. 1212-1213) This new life, which through the Spirit is participation in the divine life, makes us brothers and sisters in Christ, and through him, sons and daughters of God whom we can truly call our Father. The born-again life is nurtured by the other sacraments and the life of the Church and is deepened through a life of faith, prayer and mutual service in the Body of Christ.

The "born-again" terminology is not only found in the New Testament, but also in the liturgy. At the Easter Vigil, we prayed: "Send your Spirit of adoption on those to be born again in Baptism." Addressing the people, the celebrant says: "Dear friends in Christ, as our brothers and sisters approach the waters of rebirth, let us help them by our prayers." In leading our Easter renewal of baptismal promises, the priest concludes: "God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and has forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever."

The idea is constantly repeated in the prayers of the Mass throughout the entire Easter season. Here are some examples. Easter Thursday: "May all who are reborn in baptism be one in faith and love." Easter Friday: "May the new birth we celebrate show its effects in the way we live." Easter Saturday: "Give undying life to all who have been born again in baptism." Divine Mercy Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter): "You give us new birth in the Spirit…" Third Sunday: "Hear the prayer of this newborn people." Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter: "Father, you open the kingdom of heaven to those born again by water and the Spirit." Saturday of the Fifth Week: "Through our rebirth in Baptism…"

The liturgy brings out other similar sounding phrases also such as: "We have become a new creation." An often repeated prayer is: "Merciful Father, may these mysteries give us new purpose and bring us to a new life in you." Lord, watch over those you have saved in Christ." (Perhaps you have been asked before: "Are you saved?")

We would do well to ponder the critical role that the Holy Spirit plays in our being born again. The Holy Spirit is the agent and activator of the new life in Christ. Several of the Scripture passages and the prayers quoted above indicate this clearly. Here are a few others. On Easter Sunday, we pray: "Let our celebration today raise us up and renew our lives by the Spirit that is within us." Monday of the Second Week of Easter: "Almighty and ever-living God, your Spirit made us your children, confident to call you Father." At the Vigil Mass for Pentecost Sunday, we pray: "God our Father, you have given us new birth. Strengthen us with your Holy Spirit and fill us with your light."

Not only is the Holy Spirit the agent of our being born again, but also the health and vitality of our ongoing Christian life depend upon his full presence and free activity within us. We want to respond to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit, come!

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