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Sunday comment
By Fr Wynard Katende |
To be human is to accept change
Dec 14 - 20, 2003
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Read Luke 3:1-18 We all have bad habits that we regret and have probably even confessed often, yet, have failed to do away with them. We know they are a liability to the progress of our character as well as an inconvenience to others, yet we have failed to change. Yes, it is one thing to be repentant of one's shortcomings and another to be able to actually change or convert from the status quo for the better. This point can well be illustrated by the classic examples of two of Jesus' disciples, Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter. Judas betrayed his master and repented, but miserably fell short of conversion. Instead, he hanged himself. Yet Peter, having denied his master, both repented and converted. He regained his post of supreme leader over the Church of Christ. It may not be so easy to make a clear-cut distinction between repentance and conversion, however. To repent is to feel deep sorrow about one's actions or one's life-style. To convert is to change from one's bad actions or lifestyle, for the better. Conversion is preceded by repentance. In both cases it is a process. Conversion is a personal change and not a mere participation in a ritual. It is a total change, the adoption of an entirely new attitude toward God and others and an abandonment of all previous attitudes and habits. Conversion is the acquisition of love and knowledge. It means that one accepts God's total supremacy in all phases of human life and activity and expects no lasting good from any other source. To become aware of our shortcomings, repent of them and get converted, we all need the help of God and his agents. These may be parents, friends or religious leaders. People begin to change when they are encouraged to see the best in themselves, not when they are asked to dwell with the worst in themselves. Simply to tell people what is wrong with them and leave it at that can leave them wrecked. It is like leaving the scene of an accident. We all need help and encouragement to leave behind familiar ways, which have become destructive. We need help to imagine ourselves differently, and imagining the good effect that will have on others. We have to take time to on reflect what kind of persons God wants us to be and what his plan is for us. "Since God has began such a good work in you, I am sure he will complete it...." (Philippians 1:6) Today John the Baptist shows us the way we must follow in order to be saved. Having heard the word of God, we must acknowledge that we are sinners and that all of us are responsible for the critical situation in which we find ourselves. The next step is to ask for God's forgiveness. People who have asked for God's forgiveness and are determined to change will find means of changing society without resorting to unprincipled ones. Particular to John's message is the call to social justice and sharing. We should not blindly accept social class differences, which emerge from money or power. We should avoid taking advantage of others. Our conversion will be deep and lasting if we can be critical of our false way of judging the world and people. The same applies to the cheating wife. This will be a change for the better. Says Cardinal Newman: "To be human is to change. To be perfect is to have changed often." |
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