ST. JOHN PAUL II ON CONVERSION AND DIVINE MERCY
We have just rejoiced over the story of St. Augustine’s conversion. Nevertheless, the grace of conversion is not a just a momentary decision which remains static throughout one’s life. Rather, it presupposes as always the knowledge of God’s loving mercy and is called to grow daily until we reach our final destiny: to be with God in heaven, which is nothing but holiness. This is the reason why St. Josemaría said: “Conversion is the matter of a moment. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime (The Way, n. 285).”
On this point, John Paul II underlines the importance of daily conversion in order to enter into the Kingdom of God. It consists in discovering God, who is good and rich in mercy! Below is a text worthwile to meditate upon and apply it in our daily struggle for holiness for love of God.
“Therefore, the Church professes and proclaims conversion. Conversion to God always consists in discovering his mercy, that is, in discovering that love which is patient and kind (cf. 1 Cor 13:4) as only the Creator and Father can be; the love to which the ‘God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (2 Cor 1:3) is faithful to the uttermost consequences in the history of his covenant with man: even to the Cross and to the death and resurrection of the Son. Conversion to God is always the fruit of the ‘rediscovery’ of this Father, who is rich in mercy.”
“Authentic knowledge of the God of mercy, the God of tender love, is a constant and inexhaustible source of conversion, not only as a momentary interior act but also as a permanent attitude, as a state of mind. Those who come to know God in this way, who ‘see’ him in this way, can live only in a state of being continually converted to him. They live, therefore, in statu conversionis and it is this state of conversion which marks out the most profound element of the pilgrimage of every man and woman on earth in statu viatoris”
(John Paul II, Dives in misericordia, 13).
Dear friends, for love of God, let us embark on the path of daily conversion, without giving up, always trusting in God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Confession whenever we have gone astray. This in nothing but daily interior struggle which God expects from each one of us, for love, and with the help of His Grace, if we persevere will lead towards its final destiny: the vision of the Triune God and union with Him in heaven, the holiness, the eternal happiness for which He has made us for and to which He has called us.
-Fr. Rolly Arjonillo, priest of Opus Dei. CATHOLICS STRIVING FOR HOLINESS. We are also in Facebook: www.facebook.com/CatholicsstrivingforHoliness Hope you like our page and invite your friends as well to do so in order to help more people.