27 July 2017
Conversion of heart and mind is not easy. And, let’s face it, sometimes it doesn’t
sound all that attractive either. Maybe
that’s why Jesus quotes Isaiah: “They will hardly hear with their ears, they
have closed their eyes, lest they...understand with their hearts and be
converted and I heal them.” He knows
that what he offers humanity is a hard path—a joyful path, for sure: a path of
love, peace, wisdom, mercy, and so on, but nonetheless, a hard path to follow.
Jesus knows that people don’t always want to get that close
to him, for fear that he’ll require them (us) to change some of our ways, some
of our habits. Sometimes, conversion is
about as attractive as the idea of going on a diet, or starting an exercise
program, or realizing that it’s cleaning day at home and you’re not really in
the mood. Conversion to the ways of
Jesus takes work; it takes commitment and it requires at least some change in
the way we live. And so, conversion is
hard thing to sell, even to the crowds who follow Jesus around.
And so, God puts mentors in our lives to inspire us along the
path of personal conversion. God gave
Moses to the ancient Israelites; also Joshua, David, Solomon, the prophets, and
so on. God gives us also the Apostles,
saints from around the world, modern-day saints, friends and neighbors. God puts holy men and women into our lives to
help inspire down the path of conversion.
And so, it’s good to consider: What mentors has God put into
my own life? Who has he given me to be a
source of inspiration? Maybe a spiritual
writer or a saint, a coworker or a family member. Conversion of heart and mind is not easy; God
knows it’s better not to go it alone. Who
has God put into our lives as companions on the journey?—the journey down the
sometimes difficult path of conversion.
No comments:
Post a Comment