Conversion is God’s work, not ours

When we see the word “conversion” we might think of the character of Rodrigo Mendoza atoning for his sins by doing penance — hauling a heavy load of his armor and weapons up the side of a mountain in the 1986 film, “The Mission.” I make up for my sins (the more difficult penance I do, the better), God is impressed and then he decides to forgive me. The only problem is that Jesus Christ and his love for sinners is not part of this equation. It is the opposite of how the true and living God rolls.

God is a lot more like the bishop in “Les Misérables.” Jean Valjean is the main character who is introduced when the movie “Les Misérables” opens. Valjean stole bread to feed his starving family, so he was sentenced to nine years in prison. After his release, no one will hire him because he has a criminal record. He is told that he will be “on parole forever.” He is homeless and hungry. He’s angry. No one treats him with respect. He’s filled with discouragement.

Then, one person reaches out to him. His name is Monseigneur Bienvenue (in English, “Msgr. Welcome”). He provides Valjean with “wine, bread and a bed.” But in the middle of the night, Valjean steals the bishop’s silver. The police arrest him, hit him on the head, and bring him back to the bishop.

The bishop refuses to press charges. He explains to the police that he actually gave all his silver to Valjean — and he throws in two extra silver candlesticks to boot. He blesses Valjean and then sets him free.

An unforgettable impression is made in the heart of Valjean that day, an impression that lasts a lifetime, a reception of divine mercy that utterly converts him. Because someone is merciful with him, Valjean repents of his sins. He is set free. Everything is different now that he has received mercy.

Divine mercy works throughout Valjean’s life. It multiplies inside the heart of each person he meets. With the silver, Valjean buys a factory that employs the poor; he saves a prostitute from dying in despair; he adopts her little girl, Cosette. Valjean saves the life of a peasant caught under a cart — who later shelters them when police officer Javert is hunting him down yet again. Right back atcha!

In a later scene, Valjean forgives Javert and sets him free when Valjean could easily exact revenge on him and kill him. Later, Valjean risks his life by finding Cosette’s love, Marius, then saves Marius’ life by bringing him through a stinky sewer to safety — so that Cosette can marry the man she loves.

This is what happens when God’s love drives conversion and not man working to convert himself. Such is the God of Jesus Christ. This is the Gospel.

More Online

Three podcasts produced by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and The Catholic Spirit bring listeners directly into the conversion experiences recounted on these pages. A separate podcast introduces the topic through a conversation with Paul Ruff, associate director of human formation and director of counseling services at The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, and Father Rolf Tollefson, pastor of St. Hubert in Chanhassen. The podcasts are made possible by a grant from 1891 Financial Life. Find the podcast package at TheCaTholiCSpiriT Com/podCaSTS

“been reconfigured, and almost universally for the better,” Ruff writes.

PLEASE TURN TO CONVERSION INTRODUCTION ON PAGE 12