What does it really mean to be “born again”? For Fr. Richard Simon, the answer is bigger and deeper than a one-time emotional experience.

On a recent episode of Father Simon Says, he challenges a common Protestant idea — that salvation is a settled fact that cannot be lost — and offers a more fully Catholic vision: salvation is a gift of grace that unfolds as we continue cooperating with God.

Fr. Simon begins with a memorable story about speaking with a Calvinist theologian who insisted a person could be absolutely assured of salvation, while also admitting that such assurance could be false. Fr. Simon saw the contradiction immediately. As Catholics, he explains, we do not claim a false certainty. Instead, we trust in what he calls a “moral assurance” of salvation, grounded in God’s mercy and our ongoing cooperation with grace.

From there, he turns to Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3. Fr. Simon reflects on the phrase often translated “born again,” noting that the Greek can also be translated to “born from above.” That distinction matters. To be born from above is not merely to have a spiritual high. It is to enter into a new life that demands growth, surrender, and openness to the Holy Spirit.

That is where his reflection becomes especially powerful. Too often, he says, we act as though the Church runs only on votes, committees, and practical plans. We ask what seems efficient, but rarely ask what God wants. “You must be born from above,” he insists. The Christian life cannot be built only out of “bricks and concrete.” It must be shaped by “water and wind”, by the quiet, powerful movement of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Simon’s challenge is simple and searching: Are we really living according to the Spirit, or are we just doing what we have always done? The Gospel calls for more than routine religion. It calls for hearts ready to hear God and follow where He leads.

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What does it really mean to be &ldquo;born again&rdquo;? For Fr. Richard Simon, the answer is bigger and deeper than a one-time emotional experience.
On a recent episode of Father Simon Says, he challenges a common Protestant idea &mdash; that salvation is a settled fact that cannot be lost &mdash; and offers a more fully Catholic vision: salvation is a gift of grace that unfolds as we continue cooperating with God.
Fr. Simon begins with a memorable story about speaking with a Calvinist theologian who insisted a person could be absolutely assured of salvation, while also admitting that such assurance could be false. Fr. Simon saw the contradiction immediately. As Catholics, he explains, we do not claim a false certainty. Instead, we trust in what he calls a &ldquo;moral assurance&rdquo; of salvation, grounded in God&rsquo;s mercy and our ongoing cooperation with grace.
From there, he turns to Jesus&rsquo; words to Nicodemus in John 3. Fr. Simon reflects on the phrase often translated &ldquo;born again,&rdquo; noting that the Greek can also be translated to &ldquo;born from above.&rdquo; That distinction matters. To be born from above is not merely to have a spiritual high. It is to enter into a new life that demands growth, surrender, and openness to the Holy Spirit.
That is where his reflection becomes especially powerful. Too often, he says, we act as though the Church runs only on votes, committees, and practical plans. We ask what seems efficient, but rarely ask what God wants. &ldquo;You must be born from above,&rdquo; he insists. The Christian life cannot be built only out of &ldquo;bricks and concrete.&rdquo; It must be shaped by &ldquo;water and wind&rdquo;, by the quiet, powerful movement of the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Simon&rsquo;s challenge is simple and searching: Are we really living according to the Spirit, or are we just doing what we have always done? The Gospel calls for more than routine religion. It calls for hearts ready to hear God and follow where He leads.
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The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

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Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.