Living Supernaturally to Reveal God to Others – Apr 14 – Homily – Fr Michael

Fr. Michael emphasizes the Gospel's theme of being born again through baptism, receiving sanctifying grace that enables eternal life as children of God. Drawing from St. Augustine, he contrasts natural birth from the womb with spiritual birth from water and the Holy Spirit. Jesus teaches Nicodemus about this rebirth, using the wind analogy: invisible yet evident in its effects, just as the Spirit's work is known through faith, not empirical science. Faith perfects reason, supported by miracles, the historical Jesus, the early Church's transformative love, and saints' supernatural lives. Though baptism imparts divine life, concupiscence remains, requiring growth in virtue via sacraments like the Eucharist, which nourishes the soul. Christians must live supernaturally, loving God and neighbor supremely, so others witness God's reality through our actions, echoing "See how they love one another." Without visible effects, Baptism's purpose is lost.

Matthew 5:44 (USCCB) – Love enemies, pray for persecutors – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?44
CCC 1215 – Born anew in baptism – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1215.htm
CCC 1265 – Effects of Baptismal grace – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1265.htm
CCC 1996 – Grace justifies and sanctifies – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1996.htm

00:00 - The Principle of Life and Baptism
00:48 - Born of the Flesh vs. Born of the Spirit
01:26 - Nicodemus and the Mystery of Being Born Again
02:08 - Faith as the Highest Science
03:40 - Faith Perfects Reason
04:38 - The Evidence of the Spirit
06:01 - Loving Our Neighbor as a Supernatural Act
07:00 - Growing in the Spiritual Life
08:22 - Living as Children of God