Born Again Movement (Part 4 of 4)

Reflection Date: April 16, 2026 | Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Daily Readings: Acts 5:27-33; John 3:31-36 

Children of God:
Somebody once asked me, Father, can ex-Catholics still return to the Catholic Church? 

The answer is simple and full of hope: yes, they can always come back. 

The Church is not a closed door but a home that remains open. 

No matter how far a person has gone, there is always a path back. 

Usually, the process involves approaching a priest, going to confession, and being guided spiritually. 

It is not about starting from zero, or re-baptism, but about returning to what was once received. 

Another concern often arises: how should one inform or say goodbye to a Protestant or Born-Again pastor? 

The best way is with honesty, respect, and gratitude. 

One can acknowledge the good that was experienced while expressing the desire to return to the Catholic faith. 

This is not about rejecting people but about following one’s conscience and conviction. 

In the end, the journey back is a personal response to God’s call.

In the gospel of John, after the conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, where he spent sometime with them, and baptized.

The baptisms made by Jesus reached John the Baptist. You know what John did?

Instead of discounting the deeds of Jesus, He testified to His authority. 

He recognized that Jesus came from above and spoke the words of God. 

He emphasized that true belief in the Son leads to eternal life, while rejecting him leads to separation from that life. 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, returning to Christ means trusting in his authority above all else.

John the Baptist pointed people toward Jesus, not toward himself. 

He understood that Jesus came from above and carried the truth that leads to life. 

His role was to witness, not to replace the authority of Christ.

This reminds us that faith is not only about feelings but about trusting and following Christ completely.

In our lives, many voices try to guide us, but we are called to listen to Christ above all else. 

Returning to the Church is not about preference but about recognizing where the fullness of Christ’s truth and grace is found. 

Second, coming home to the Church is a journey of grace, not judgment.

Many people hesitate to return because they fear being judged or rejected. 

They may carry guilt or uncertainty about how they will be received. 

Yet the Church, like a loving mother, welcomes her children with compassion.

This reminds us that everything we need for salvation is entrusted to Christ, and through him, we receive grace and mercy.

The sacraments, the community, and the teachings of the Church are all gifts meant to guide us and strengthen us in faith.

We can reflect on these questions in our hearts. If I feel distant from God, do I believe that I can always return to him? 

Do I trust in the authority of Christ as the foundation of my faith? And how can I show understanding and compassion to others who are on their own journey of returning?

Children of God:
The message of the gospel reminds us that faith is always an invitation to come closer to Christ. 

No matter where we have been, the path back is always open. 

God never stops calling us, and his grace never runs out. 

Our journey of faith continues each day as we respond to that call. 

The love of God remains constant, guiding us home. 

And in that home, we find the life that Christ promises to all who believe.