Gospel of Mark, chapter 1:8

I have been often been asked by many well-meaning Christians: “are Catholics born again?” The answer I give is: “of course, they are born again because they are given a new birth at baptism. Every baptized Catholic is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the name of the Most Holy Trinity is indeed a born again experience.”

Being born again in baptism does not guarantee that we always remain in the state of grace. St Paul recognized this when he asked his fellow Christians to pray for him lest he become a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27). We are given the Holy Spirit in baptism, but we need to let this spirit renew our human spirit which has become compromised through sin. Many baptized Christians rise to the expectations of the Holy Spirit by overcoming the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-21) in their lives. Others are only Christians in name, though not in deed. Regrettably, many Christians do not take their baptism seriously; they prefer to celebrate the ritual of baptism rather than celebrate the spirit of baptism which is the new life of Christ.

Catholic Theology enumerates seven deadly works of the flesh that prevent us from being led by the spirit; they are: pride, greed, lust, gluttony, envy, anger and sloth. Everyone is born with these works of the flesh but when a person is born again, the Holy Spirit can replace the works of the flesh with positive Christ-Like attributes. St. Paul calls the positive attributes of the Christian “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:2-3), and they are: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Interestingly, St. Paul adds: “against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:23). Jesus also says there is only one law, and that is “love” upon which everything in the law and the prophets is based (Matthew 22:40). He also tells us to “love one another as He has loved us” (John 13:34) for Jesus is Love Incarnate.

Jesus was led by the spirit (Matthew 4:1) because the Holy Spirit and Jesus are one. When you follow Jesus; when you put His word into practice; you are being led by the Spirit. You are showing you are indeed born again; that you have died to the old, fallen nature of humankind, and have risen to a new life in the Lord.

Fr. Hugh Duffy