The Ministry of Jesus Christ: New Birth

Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, 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, "Truly, truly, 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. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.' The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit." - John 3:3-8 (RSVCE)

Our Lord declares to Nicodemus the necessity of being born again if we are to see the Kingdom of God, and explains the meaning of this new birth.

When Nicodemus declares his belief that Jesus is a teacher sent from God, our Lord answers by what seems beside the mark. He tells him that, "Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." His meaning is: "In order to appreciate with Divine faith Who I am, and what means My being sent from God, a man must be born again." It is only the soul that is raised to the supernatural order that can see the Kingdom of God, and recognize who it is that is its King.

In the answer of Nicodemus we see the carnal mind still strong within him. He takes a carnal view of the new birth: "How can a man be born when he is old?" So we find that the mysteries of the Kingdom of God are a riddle to all who are not taught of God. They assert that the prophecies of the Old Testament do not primarily refer to our Lord, and explain away even the miracles of the Gospel. The blessed Eucharist seems to them absurd, and modern miracles a fiction. Thank God for the gift of faith.

Our Lord explains to Nicodemus that the spiritual new birth is effected by the secret grace of the Holy Spirit accepted by the soul. It comes noiselessly and like a gentle wind. It is given to all who ask it, and though they know not whence it comes, yet they recognize it as a voice from God. To this Voice, O Jesus, may I be ever obedient!

- taken from The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations on the Public Life of Our Lord, by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ