In todays’ Gospel, Jesus says, "you must be born again". Being "born again" is a term familiar to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and the Evangelical Churches. Primarily, "being born again," is to be filled with the Spirit of Christ and experienced as if the Spirit were fire and light. It is a legitimate grace poured out by Christ, however, not all circumstances purported to be this experience are legitimate.

Being born in the Spirit of Christ, that manifests as an interior light and fire, is an unusual and special gift! I dare say, this gift, is among those "heavenly secrets that are revealed to Christ’s little ones." It was those little ones who were gathered in the upper room or the house that rocked, that received this born again experience, also known as being baptized by fire, and we know that the Holy Spirit descended on their heads in the form of tongues of fire in the Upper Room on Pentecost.

The spiritual life with Christ that follows this Baptism in the Holy Spirit by fire is nothing less than supernatural. I regard this experience as receiving the "Keys to the Kingdom." From this point forward in the blessed recipient’s life, Christ is in control and will lead that person into the fullness of a Divine Plan for him or her. Indeed, this is what I believe God designed for the entire Church at Pentecost. That this is so, can be found when studying the Book of Acts and the works of the newly baptized Apostles.

Happy Preparation to receive Christ by fire and light!

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