EXPERIENCE CONVERSION

In early days, when one enters religious life, his or her name is changed. They adopt a religious name. Sisters would add the name of Mary before their given name. Changing of name in seminary is still true, in some instances. I have a classmate whose name is Jayson. His nickname in their home is Ays (pronounce as “Ace”), an abbreviated version of his name. When he entered the seminary he was christened as Ays (pronounce as “eyes”), because he has big eyes. Nabinyagan na siya, so to say. Changing of names signals the opening of a new chapter in our life.

In the scriptures, people receive a mission as their names were changed: Simon to Peter becoming the rock on which the Church was built. As Saul was named Paul in Damascus, he assumed his new vocation as apostle to the pagans. After my ordination, people began calling me Father as I assumed a new responsibility in our Church. When we were baptized, we were converted from a simple creature of God to a special creature. We have become adopted sons and daughters of God. The giving of our name marked this conversion. More than our particular names, our name as Christians was bestowed upon us. When we received our name as Christians, we too received our identity as children of God. Our identity entails a mission: to go out to the whole world and tell the Good News.

Conversion takes place with an encounter with the person of Jesus. Few of us may remember the moment of our baptism. But everyday we encounter Jesus in our life, in the Eucharist we receive, and in the scriptures we hear. And each day becomes a recollection of our baptismal day when we first met Jesus and received our new identity.

How do we truly live this conversion experience? Have we really been converted? Obedience to God involves a genuine conversion to His fold. Such is manifested in our actions. Actions of Christ's believers are characterized by wonders and miracles: casting out demons, speaking new languages, picking up snakes and being unharmed by poison and being able to heal the sick.

Many of us here, in this country, are Christians. In principle, our country should be a place of wonders and miracles, for that is what our identity demands. But if you examine our society at present, you will wonder how come a Christian nation is leading in the list of most corrupt countries where criminality and immorality thrive.   

Have we done wondrous things in the name of our identity as Christians?

Have we become faithful to our name as Christians?

Have we sincerely been converted? Have we truly met Jesus?