As one traditional idiom states: “no growth without change and no change without pain.” Or, as a more contemporary idiom would phrase it: “no pain, no gain.”
This insight is not new. Yet, this insight needs to be recalled and relearned because most of us either quickly forget it or try hard to avoid it. How appropriate, then, that early in the Lenten season, in this time of renewal, we are led by the Word of God to reclaim this basic insight: transformation only happens through some kind of movement or change, and change is effected only through sacrifice or self-denial.
The transformation to which we are called is to become more like Christ Jesus. St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Romans: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rm. 8:29). And again, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God " what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rm. 12:2). In baptism, we were remade in Christ's image. More and more, His thoughts, words and actions must be visible in ours; more and more, people should be able to look at us, and we at one another, and see Jesus reflected, however imperfectly.
Such transformation demands change in attitudes because, when all is said and done, our attitudes determine our thoughts, words and actions. Let me suggest several areas where a change in attitude, not without hardship, could result in our being transformed more into Christ Jesus.
One such area is the vital, indeed, essential role of Christ and His Church in our lives. Over the last 40 years, the role of Christ and the Church has shifted for many people. Too many among us have acquired a “cafeteria” mentality about the role of Christ and the Church, and, consequently, about the practice of our faith. Many pick and choose what they like to do or not do, regardless of what Christ says through His Church, His other presence in this world. For example, some easily excuse themselves from the weekly celebration of the Eucharist. Others rarely, if ever, pray daily at home. Some ignore or deny Church teachings concerning artificial contraception, sexual relations outside Matrimony, divorce and remarriage to name but several. It all boils down to a mentality which says: I will accept Christ and His Church on my terms. But, the Word of God is clear in telling us that the role of Christ and His Church is not an option, if we are truly serious about openness to God, about desiring salvation. “God has saved us and has called us to a holy life,” and He awaits our response in faith. If we want to be saved, if we admit the longing within us for wholeness and completion, there is only one way: His name is Jesus Christ and He saves us most clearly as members of His Body, the Church. As the Acts of the Apostles tells us: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Transformation comes when we move from resistance to acceptance, from “my will” to “Your will” and that change costs us: it involves a kind of pain or sacrifice.
Another area where transformation is needed is our acceptance and living out of those hardships which the Gospel entails. What Jesus through His Church teaches is counter-cultural and, therefore, not easy to hear and less easy to put into practice. For example, to be “pro-life.” Our Holy Father reminds us: “We are a people of life and for life and this is how we present ourselves to everyone” (Evangelium Vitae, 78). We are “for life” from its beginning at conception through all of its subsequent stages until its end at natural death. No, we are not “one-issue” people, we are opposed to whatever destroys life: violence, malnutrition, unjust distribution of resources, unjust wars, the scandalous arms trade, trafficking in human beings for prostitution, reckless tampering with the world's ecological balance, drugs, domestic violence, immoral sexual activity, abortion and euthanasia. And, because abortion destroys life at its beginning, we first and foremost proclaim its evil unashamedly! It is not easy to be “for life” in our society. There are many weak excuses that we hear from Christians and others today: “I am personally opposed to abortion, but"”. Or, “I do not allow my religious convictions to influence my interaction on the job or with friends, or my action in the voting booth.” To be “for life” entails hardship, hard decisions, and this is what St. Paul is talking about when he says: “Beloved, Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.”
Whatever the attitudes within us that need transforming, and I have proposed but a few examples, transformation cannot take place without a movement or change on our part and that will cost us. It will involve the hardship which the Gospel entails, but God will also give us the strength we need. Transformation is gradual; it does not happen all at once, nor does it happen once and for all. This is why we need Lent every year. We need a season to heighten this process of transformation in Christ so that it can continue all year long.
The key to our transformation is Jesus Christ. That is why the Father says to us: “This is my beloved Son"listen to him.” If we truly listen to Him and to His Church which proclaims His truth, we can become transformed as we move forward "“ change "“ from resistance to acceptance, from “my will” to “Your will, O Lord.”
Yes, it will involve hardship, but the end-result will be worth it! We shall become more like Jesus, and that will make the decided difference in the Church and in the world. It will prepare us for the eternal glory of endless life with God and all His holy ones!
