Conversion

It's cool to be Catholic/catholic (see what I did there?) because we use words other Christians use, but the meaning tends to be different. One of these words is "conversion." For us, conversion does not refer to only the moment of initial justification, though it certainly includes it. Rather, any time we willingly correspond with the grace of God that makes us more and more conformed to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29), we call it conversion. We could say that one may not even lose friendship with God in undergoing conversion. Indeed, we should desire never to be outside of God's friendship because of mortal sin. But even if we have gravely sinned, we can be renewed in our baptism by confessing our sins, (1 John 1:8-9) because St. John says just a couple verses later that Jesus is our righteous advocate before the Father (2:1). It's so nice to finally understand St. John in his letter here! There's so much to discourage the reader/hearer if we don't make a venial/mortal sin distinction. (Our biblical overlords at the Revised Standard Version are helpful in translating what is often translated "a sin that leads to death" straightforwardly as "mortal" in 5:16-17.) Then again, my own pattern of life is a bit discouraging in itself. But that's why we confess our sins. You'll notice I have a new poll, asking you how often you use the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Someone once said that conversion was taking sides with the truth (er, the Truth) against yourself. It's so true. As long as we call sin what it is, we'll be OK, even if we have to get back up again a million times.

Praise the God who forgives!