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CONVERSION. What is conversion? A leaving – of one’s present style of living, and A following – Jesus, in the charism of Francis. WHO AM I?. Conversion is: • Rooted in the love of God ● A response • Total change • Theological • A constant return to the truth of the Gospel
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CONVERSION • What is conversion? • A leaving – of one’s present style of living, and • A following – Jesus, in the charism of Francis
WHO AM I? Conversion is: • Rooted in the love of God ● A response • Total change • Theological • A constant return to the truth of the Gospel • A renewal
FROM THE GOSPEL “The time IS fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God IS near; be converted and believe the Gospel.” (Mark 1:15) • “IS” – indicative, announces a fact: the gift of God. • “Be converted” – imperative – the response to the gift.
TRUE FAITH vs. APPARENT FAITH ● True Faith • Recognizes the way of the cross. • Accepts the way of the cross • Requirescommitment of our whole existence to Christ • Apparent faith • Simply confesses Jesus is Messiah • Simply proclaims Jesus is Son of God
WHAT IS CONVERSION? • An understanding of Christ by way of conformity to Him. • A total change of: • Our thoughts • Our feelings • Our beliefs • Our actions • Our goals
CONDITIONS OF CONVERSION • Deny yourself • Renounce all personal projects • Welcome the project of Jesus • Die to self • Take up your cross • Condemned by the “common mentality” • “YOUR” cross – not someone else’s • “TAKE” it – don’t make one.
CONDITIONS • Follow Him. • Means a conformity of life with Jesus. • Requires a full and total involvement. • Communion with the Master is total. • Undo every bond in order to be bound to Christ.
HOW WE LIVE • Must live our existence as a gift. • Disciple can’t have different destiny from the Master. • Jesus asks us to follow him closely and without looking back. • Bind ourselves to Christ. • Be inflamed by love for Christ.
PARAPHRASE OF OUR FATHER • Your will be done on earth as in heaven: • That we may love God with our whole heart by always thinking of Him. • With our whole soul by always desiring Him.
With our whole mind by always directing all our intentions to God, and by seeking His glory in everything • With our whole strength by spending all our energies and affections of body and soul in the service of His love and of nothing else.
NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE • Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves • Desire nothing else • Want nothing else • Let nothing else please us EXCEPT OUR CREATOR, REDEEMER AND SAVIOUR
CONVERSION & FORMATION • This total conversion is the goal of formation. • It will only happen if we seek daily conversion as our Rule tells us. • Goal of initial formation is to bring those being formed to where they can continue this conversion for life.