How Catholics Define Conversion

"...Brothers and sisters: I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth..." (Ephesians 4:17, 20-24)

Protestants have different definitions for many terms than Catholics. Yet, it is important for even non-Christians to understand what exactly Catholics mean by the term  "conversion". The Gospel writers often use a single Greek word to describe this. This word bears the deepest meaning of conversion. In the last, post we described conversion as a process. The Greek word "metanoia" does not just mean a change of intent or goodwill, but a change of actionable theory, evident in praxis as a result of a change of the heart and mind from sin toward obedience to God and ultimately toward love and service of Him.

Many consider conversion an assent to the possibility of a thing being true. However, the subject at hand is not a matter of risk or gambling. Neither is it only an ineffectual change in the heart. There may be something of God that we appreciate, certainly his blessings. An unconverted heart reaches toward God not out of love but utility. A prime example of this can be found in today's readings "When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus."(cf. John 6:24-35). Conversion goes beyond acknowledging Jesus as God.

"Belief" is a verb. "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone...For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead."(James 2:24, 26). The Biblical definition of belief might be thought of as purely this conversion. If we truly believe that Jesus is God, sin is real, and we believe that Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." and that those who heard Him "were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority", then how can we do justify anything but fight for freedom from sin and to follow His commandments(Mark 1:15,22).

Conversion is actualized belief. There are some things in our life that are very conducive to the Gospel and some things that really are not. We should not just be content with our actions, words, and thoughts just being ok. Although conversion is something we have a fair amount of control over it is the important aspect of conversion that is guided by God. It is all ourselves and all God but more God than ourselves. Cooperation with grace leads to a life radically transformed.[1] We are called to become who we were made to be through joy and love. We must become ourselves as we let God transform our suffering for the good of ourselves and others. Through grace, we become Christ-like or if you will, "Christian". Through grace, we become Jesus.[2]

In conclusion, conversion is the change. In last week's post, we recognized the gradual quality of conversion and that this is time's very purpose. Thus, conversion or actualized belief is something that can always be deepened. Yet, in our efforts, this can come to a sort of terminal point if we are not falling into greater love with God and/or not completely abandoning the old life. The fact that we are made finite, to exist in time, and not made for sin makes this the process it is. Conversion is, at its deepest and most extensive definition, the gradual process by which we fall into the greatest love with God accomplished firstly, by God's love and grace and entered into ever deeper by the sinner who does not just avoid sin, but out of love follows God guidance to greater love of Him in concrete expressions. No one who is truly converted (in the past and perfect sense of the term) sins, prioritizes the vanity of created allurements, or consider's any command of God burdensome or too much.

FN:

1. cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1987-2029.
2. cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 460.

O God great me an ever greater love,
not just for Thy gifts from above,
but only of Thee
in Whom all good things be.

Oh Lord with Thy grace do not hesitate.

Let Thy love be consummate.

How can I truly believe Thou art 

Who Thou says Thou art without doing my part.

Receive Thy love I do,

giving of myself I must also do.

Would that all I seek be of Thee,

for in true love, nothing is apart from Thee.