Lenten Thoughts - The Challenge of Conversion
What will you do for Lenten Penance…give up candy, liquor, smoking, lose weight, drink only decaf? In and of themselves, they are not goals in themselves, but know that the goal within it is conversion. Conversion challenges us to have a change of heart, leading to being a stronger person, stronger family, a stronger community.
Conversion does not mean you are doing things wrong and you ought to change…although possible.
What it means is to open your eyes and heart to the world around you and be better able to live the life that God is calling you to. To wipe away the spiritual blindness, to help your life be more meaningful and be empowered to live it.
You might not think that CONVERSION is an appropriate word for what happened to Jesus in the desert, but it is.
After his baptism, Jesus entered the desert for 40 day to look at his life and what he wanted to do with it, to clarify his mission. His fasting was a tool so that he could be converted. He saw new meaning for himself. So much so that his 3 greatest temptations didn’t faze him…he stayed true to his path. It changed him and he came out of the desert emboldened and empowered!
This is our call as well. This 40 day period challenges us to CONVERSION…A change of heart.
Many of you know the story of Archbishop Romero, a martyr whose 30th anniversary of his murder comes up in March. As a bishop he was very supportive of the ruling class that held all the power in El Salvador. As oppression increased and hundreds of the poor started to die, he could not escape what was before him…his spiritual call into the desert of his life.
Within those few weeks, those symbolic 40 days, he began to champion the needs of the people and called for an end to the violence. Within a year, he was not the same simple, shy, aristocratic man who was made a bishop there because he wouldn’t rock the boat.
He couldn’t turn back………why? BECAUSE HE WAS CONVERTED.
The blinders came off and his temptation to do nothing melted away. He became such a powerful force for justice and the rights of all his people. He was emboldened and empowered, so much so that the rich and powerful and the army had him shot, but the conversion continued in the minds and hearts of the poor who saw him as a champion.
Will you listen to and embrace your call to CONVERSION? Do you dare enter the 40 days of the desert in your own life?
***reprinted with permission by author - Fr. Vince Rosonke, Pastor St. Boniface Catholic Church Waukee, Iowa***
From the Wider Circle E-News, the weekly newsletter of the Presbytery of Des Moines:
Westminster Mission Intern heads to El Salvador Teaching English
Des Moines Westminster Presbyterian Church member Alisha Lundberg is traveling to Berlín, El Salvador to begin her 6-week teaching English experience. Below is an excerpt from her blog http://alilorraine.blogspot.com (The blog name is in memory of Alisha’s father, who called her “Ali Lorraine” and always encouraged her to travel and create her own adventures.)
“Hola a todos! As most of you know by now I will be leaving on February 8th to spend 6 weeks in the town of Berlín in Usulután, El Salvador. There I will be teaching English in a local school and a community class, and trying to gain a better understanding of the school system. I will be able to work on my Spanish language skills, learn more about the town of Berlín, and eat beans every day! Most importantly, I will be spending time with some of the most loving and generous people I have ever met. It is truly a blessing to be received into a community with open arms and open hearts. The happiness and hopefulness of the people never ceases to amaze me, especially when they are faced with tremendous social and economic injustice. I hope their kindness and positive thinking will rub off on me, and that I will be able to bring a part of that joy back to the U.S. with me… ~ Con cariño, Alisha Lundberg
From the Presbyterian Neighbor News (pnnnews.org), the Lakes and Prairies Edition:
Des Moines senior highs connect with El Salvador youth
Posted November 24, 2009, 11:40 a.m. Staff Report
Recently, Michael Sinklier, PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer to Peru, went to El Salvador with a delegation from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Here he describes his visit and the new mission with the youth there...Read more...
Members of Companeros Attend World Mission Celebration
In late October, two members of Compañeros (Nancy Lister-Settle and Sue Burns) road-tripped to Cincinnati, OH for PC(USA)’s Mission Celebration 2009. Read more...