Born-Again Movement (Part 3 of 4)

Reflection Date: April 15, 2026 | Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter 
Daily Readings: Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21 

Children of God:
Over the past two days, we reflected on the history of the “Born Again” movement, which emphasized a personal and experiential faith that grew rapidly through preaching, media, and missionary work. 

Many were drawn to its message of conversion and a renewed relationship with Christ. 

While the Catholic Church affirms the need for personal conversion, it also teaches that this new life is nourished through the sacraments. 

There is a real and pastoral situation that highlights this difference. 

One of my friends who was an ex-pastor told me that he was always in dilemma when many of his ex-Catholic members, nearing death, ask for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, also known as the last rites. 

He said during those times, he would always feel helpless, since he knew he may pray for the sick person, but he cannot administer the sacrament because it belongs to the Catholic priesthood. 

And it made him wonder, what is in the Catholic sacraments, that ex-Catholics, at near-death, would desire to receive it?

From a Catholic perspective, this request shows a deep longing for the grace of the sacraments at a crucial moment of life. 

This is a powerful reminder that faith is not only personal but also sacramental and communal.

In the gospel of John, Jesus spoke clearly about God’s love for the world and the gift of salvation. 

He explained that light came into the world, yet people faced the choice of accepting or rejecting that light. 

This message speaks not only about belief but also about the direction of one’s life. 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, God’s love is always offered, even in our weakest moments.

Jesus revealed a powerful truth about God’s heart. 

Salvation was not forced upon humanity but freely given out of love. 

Even in moments of weakness, doubt, or nearing death, God’s love continues to reach out.

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

This showed that God’s desire is always to save, not to condemn.

In our lives, we may sometimes feel unworthy or distant from God. 

Yet the message of the gospel reminds us that God never stops loving us. 

Whether in the ordinary days or in our final moments, his grace remains available, inviting us to return and trust in him.

Second, choosing the light shapes how we live and how we end.

Jesus spoke about light and darkness as a way of describing human choices. 

The light represents truth, goodness, and the presence of God, while darkness represents turning away from that truth.

Jesus said, “Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (John 3:21). 

This showed that faith is not only about belief but also about living in a way that reflects God’s truth.

Our daily choices prepare us for life’s most important moments. 

When we live in the light, we grow in faith, love, and trust in God. 

And when the time comes, we are more ready to entrust ourselves fully into his hands.

We can reflect on these questions in our hearts. Do I recognize the constant presence of God’s love in my life, even in my weaknesses? 

Am I choosing to live in the light through my daily actions and decisions? And how do I prepare myself spiritually for the moments when I will need God’s grace the most?

Children of God: 
The message of the gospel reminds us that life is a journey of choices guided by God’s love. 

Each day, we are invited to step into the light and live according to the truth. 

God does not force us but patiently calls us. 

The sacraments of the Catholic Church are powerful signs of that love, especially in moments of great need. 

They remind us that we are never alone in our journey. 

As we continue to walk in faith, we learn to trust more deeply in God’s mercy. 

The light of Christ continues to shine in our lives, guiding us toward hope and salvation. 

And when we choose that light, we find not only direction but also peace. 

In the end, it is this love and light that lead us to eternal life.