The Journey of Spiritual Rebirth: Reflections by Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap
Step into the realm of spiritual transformation with the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, as he unveils the sixth installment of his profound reflections for the 2025 Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia. In this enlightening session, titled ‘Rebirth’, Fr. Pasolini delves into the essence of spiritual renewal and invites us to embark on a journey towards a deeper connection with God.
By Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap
At the core of salvation lies the concept of spiritual rebirth, as exemplified in the Gospel of John through the poignant dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus. Jesus elucidates that to behold the Kingdom of God, one must undergo a spiritual rebirth, a notion that perplexes Nicodemus and underscores the imperative of a profound and radical transformation. This transformation, albeit daunting, necessitates relinquishing familiar certainties and ingrained habits.
Jesus elucidates that this metamorphosis transpires through water and the Spirit—not as a literal regression to infancy but as a newfound receptivity to the workings of the Spirit. While change may evoke trepidation and attachment to past experiences, genuine rebirth entails placing trust in God and yielding to uncharted territories. This odyssey mirrors the Israelites’ Exodus in the wilderness, where despite apprehensions of mortality, salvation awaited those who fixed their gaze on God’s appointed sign. Today, the emblem of salvation manifests in Christ crucified on the Cross.
Baptism symbolizes this metamorphic journey—not as an instantaneous and conspicuous transformation but as the inception of a progressive evolution. Regrettably, over time, the potency of baptism has waned, reducing it to a cultural ritual rather than a deliberate act of faith. This dilution has engendered a crisis within the Church, rendering the Christian way of life distant and abstract to many.
Jesus issues a radical summons: prioritizing one’s relationship with Him above all other attachments—not as a renunciation of love for others but as the realization that authentic life resides solely in God. This necessitates the audacity to relinquish one’s life in the material and psychological sense to rediscover it in the eternal realm.
Lastly, Jesus employs the analogy of childbirth to illustrate that spiritual rebirth is a laborious yet indispensable transition. Each individual is beckoned to emerge from their metaphorical “wombs” of origin and embrace the fullness of eternal life. Saint Francis stands as a beacon of forsaking security to embrace a renewed existence in Christ.
In essence, genuine rebirth is not a mirage but a tangible actuality attainable to those who permit themselves to be transfigured by the Spirit, already embodying the pledge of eternity in the present moment.
Delivered on Wednesday, 12th March, at 9 am.
