Conversion from A Healing Rosary

From my book, A Healing Rosary, a brief look at conversion associated with The Fourth Luminous Mystery – The Transfiguration.

Conversion in this context is not changing from one faith community to another or finding religion (although it can be a pivotal moment of grace when one is drawn to join the Church) it is changing the mind and heart so that the soul matures, bringing about a noticeable change in behavior, thinking, and/or way of living.  This change can be the result of a deeply personal encounter with God, after a moving spiritual experience or the result of deep personal conviction that change is needed.  It entails the realization that you are a loved, beautiful, child of God who is cared for.  “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”(2 Corinthians 5:17) 

The new self seeks union with God, continues to transform, is drawn more deeply into prayer, scripture and the sacraments, and chooses to live a holier life.  “You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Conversion is not just an event it is an ongoing process.  It signifies the Holy Spirit at work within us, purifying us, teaching us, and leading us to a deeper relationship with Jesus and God, Our Father.  “May he draw our hearts to himself, that we may walk in his ways and keep his commands, statues, and ordinances.” (1 Kings 8:58)