Apr 6, 2026 Written by 

Mirror of rebirth

Today's passage from the Johannine Gospel highlights Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus.

The latter represented the group of Jews who sensed the value of the novelty of the young Rabbi's teaching - yet did not understand it, because it was distant from tradition.

The theme posed is rebirth from above: "from water and the Spirit" (Jn 3:5). Reminder of Baptism in Christ.

The Sources explain in detail when Francis was brought to the baptismal font:

"His mother had called him John, when he was born again of water and the Holy Spirit, and from a son of wrath he had become a son of Grace" (FF 583).

Francis so loved the Spirit of God, the Source of all transformation, that he appointed him Minister General of the Order: under his aegis he would certainly produce shoots of Grace.

The theme posed in the Gospel is precisely rebirth from Above, from the Holy Spirit.

Clare herself, in the Papal Bull "Clara Claris praeclara" was outlined with a profile of spiritual novelty, of a new Woman reborn from above.

In the document we discern all the traits that distinguished her as a soul invaded by the Holy Spirit.

"O Clare, endowed with so many prerogatives of clarity! You were, indeed, clear before your conversion, clearer in your change of life, luminous in your cloistered life, shining finally with most vivid light after the course of your present existence!

From Clare there sprang forth for the world a clear mirror of example" (FF 3282).

"She truly shone while living in the world, but she shone most vividly in religious life; she shone as a ray in her father's house, but in the cloister she radiated like a sun.

She shone in life, but after death she shines radiantly; she was clear on earth, but in heaven she shines with immense radiance' (FF 3283).

Looking at her story, one understands what it means to be reborn from above!

Indeed, in the Letter to the Faithful written by Francis, we read:

«And as long as they do such things and persevere in them to the end, there shall rest upon them the Spirit of the Lord, and he shall make his habitation and dwelling place. And they will be children of the heavenly Father, whose works they do, and they are spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus.

We are spouses, when the faithful soul is united to Jesus Christ through the action of the Holy Spirit.

And we are brothers, when we do the will of his Father, who is in heaven. We are mothers when we carry him in our heart and body through love and a pure and sincere conscience, and generate him through holy activity, which must shine out as an example to others» (FF 200).

Thus, Francis lived what his own 'seedling' embodied: the rebirth from water and the Spirit in an eloquent manner.

 

«Marvel not, for I said unto thee, Ye must be born from above» (Jn 3:7).

 

 

Tuesday, 2nd wk. in Easter  (Jn 3:7-15)

146 Last modified on Monday, 06 April 2026 06:37
Teresa Girolami

Teresa Girolami è laureata in Materie letterarie e Teologia. Ha pubblicato vari testi, fra cui: "Pellegrinaggio del cuore" (Ed. Piemme); "I Fiammiferi di Maria - La Madre di Dio in prosa e poesia"; "Tenerezza Scalza - Natura di donna"; co-autrice di "Dialogo e Solstizio".

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Spirit, defined as "another Paraclete" (Jn 14: 16), a Greek word that is equivalent to the Latin "ad-vocatus", an advocate-defender. The first Paraclete is in fact the Incarnate Son who came to defend man (Pope Benedict)
Spirito, definito "un altro Paraclito" (Gv 14,16), termine greco che equivale al latino "ad-vocatus", avvocato difensore. Il primo Paraclito infatti è il Figlio incarnato, venuto per difendere l’uomo (Papa Benedetto)
When Christians are truly convinced of this, their lives are transformed. This transformation results not only in a credible and compelling personal witness but also in an urgent and effective communication - likewise through the media - of a living faith which paradoxically increases as it is shared. It is consoling to know that all who bear the name Christian share this same conviction [John Paul II]
Quando i cristiani sono sinceramente convinti di questo, la loro vita si trasforma, e questa trasformazione si manifesta non solo nella testimonianza personale, ma anche nell'impellente ed efficace comunicazione - anche attraverso i media - di una fede viva che, paradossalmente, si accresce quando viene condivisa. È consolante sapere che tutti coloro che assumono il nome di cristiani condividono la stessa convinzione [Giovanni Paolo II]
It is sad to see good bishops, good people, but busy with many things, the finances, with this, that and the other… Prayer must take first place [Pope Francis]
È triste vedere bravi vescovi, bravi, gente buona, ma indaffarati in tante cose, l’economia, e questo e quell’altro e quell’altro… La preghiera al primo posto [Papa Francesco]
Work is part of God’s loving plan, we are called to cultivate and care for all the goods of creation and in this way share in the work of creation! Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person. Work, to use a metaphor, “anoints” us with dignity, fills us with dignity, makes us similar to God, who has worked and still works, who always acts (cf. Jn 5:17); it gives one the ability to maintain oneself, one’s family, to contribute to the growth of one’s own nation [Pope Francis]
Il lavoro fa parte del piano di amore di Dio; noi siamo chiamati a coltivare e custodire tutti i beni della creazione e in questo modo partecipiamo all’opera della creazione! Il lavoro è un elemento fondamentale per la dignità di una persona. Il lavoro, per usare un’immagine, ci “unge” di dignità, ci riempie di dignità; ci rende simili a Dio, che ha lavorato e lavora, agisce sempre (cfr Gv 5,17); dà la capacità di mantenere se stessi, la propria famiglia, di contribuire alla crescita della propria Nazione [Papa Francesco]
Dear friends, the mission of the Church bears fruit because Christ is truly present among us in a quite special way in the Holy Eucharist. His is a dynamic presence which grasps us in order to make us his, to liken us to him. Christ draws us to himself, he brings us out of ourselves to make us all one with him. In this way he also inserts us into the community of brothers and sisters: communion with the Lord is always also communion with others (Pope Benedict)
Cari amici, la missione della Chiesa porta frutto perché Cristo è realmente presente tra noi, in modo del tutto particolare nella Santa Eucaristia. La sua è una presenza dinamica, che ci afferra per farci suoi, per assimilarci a Sé. Cristo ci attira a Sé, ci fa uscire da noi stessi per fare di noi tutti una cosa sola con Lui. In questo modo Egli ci inserisce anche nella comunità dei fratelli: la comunione con il Signore è sempre anche comunione con gli altri (Papa Benedetto)

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