Conversation Towards Conversion

Objectives

1. Understand what political correctness is and how it misleads people

2. Practice loving correction by telling the truth out of love

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

As we reflect on our theme this year it speaks about being watchful from false teachings, sinful lifestyle and being firm in faith. This is by upholding the age-old teachings of the Catholic Church. There is a call to live out, converse and proclaim courageously the truth out of authentic love. This message is very relevant today as Satan is distorting God’s original design with different ideologies by spreading lies that are being “normalized”. This leaves a lot of people misled and confused which leads to tolerating sin. One scourge in the Church today is political correctness, by which one seeks not to offend another by one’s words or actions. 

II. Political Correctness

This means not to offend people by not talking about sin and repentance. Liberals say that sinners, out of Christian love, should just be accepted, accompanied, and embraced, but their sin is not to be discussed, since this is hurtful and contrary to love. But authentic Christian teaching is that we are to love the sinner but hate the sin. Thus, not to talk about a sinner’s serious wrongdoing through loving correction is to keep that person in that sin. Thus it is manifesting false mercy. It is not love but a failure to love. 

Political correctness results in sinners becoming comfortable with their sins. After all, they are accepted and embraced, without their sin being pointed out. So what need is there to repent? An example of this is just accepting or accompanying people engaging in abortion, homosexual acts, cohabitation etc., without loving correction. Political Correctness hinders people from responding to the call to conversion or repentance. This is a conversation that does not lead to conversion. The person is left in darkness, in the state of sin. 

Calling a sin a sin is not judging! It’s the same as calling a car a car: it is what it is. Let’s correct this error and avoid terming every form of correction as being mere “Judgmental”.

The truth may hurt but lies kill. This affects not just what is temporal but most importantly what is eternal. Hate the sin, but love the sinner.

III. Confronted and Repented 

There is a need to overcome our fear of rejection or offending someone in speaking out the truth. Let us look at this example of conversation that led to the conversion of David.  When King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan confronted him. And David repented. Once again he became right with God. Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die. 2 Samuel 12:13

David composed that great prayer of repentance, what we know as Psalm 51. What do we learn in this psalm?

1.     God is indeed merciful, and He desires to blot out all our sins. “Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.” (Ps 51:3). But the false mercy of political correctness will not blot out sin and make us right with God.

2.     For us to receive the mercy of God, we need to repent of our sins. “My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.” (Ps 51:19). But political correctness keeps people in their sins.

3.     For us to repent, we need to know what our sin is. “For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me.” (Ps 51:5).We cannot just rely on conscience, as consciences today have been massively influenced by the dominant liberal culture, where in fact wrong has become right. Consciences must be properly formed, for us to distinguish between good and evil. And we must know that a sin is an offense against God. “Against you, you alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your eyes” (Ps 51:6a).

4.     For us to know what our sin is (assuming already a flawed conscience), our pastors need to teach us and tell us clearly. “I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.” (Ps 51:15).But pastors too need to know what is wrong and what is right. Unfortunately, today the progressives in the Church are themselves overturning the authentic gospel. Anyway, rather than making us comfortable in our sin by not telling us we are in sin, we must realize the dire effect of serious sin, that we are cut off from God. “Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your holy Spirit.”(Ps 51:13).

5.     Upon knowing the truth of our sinful situation, we must desire to be cleansed of our sin. “Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me.” (Ps 51:4). We must be so uncomfortable in our sin that we desire to be right with God, knowing that He can re-create our hearts and renew our spirit. “A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit.” (Ps 51:12).

Political correctness is false mercy, as people are left in their sins, which cut them off from God. What the people of God are called to is certainly not sexual impurity, but purity of mind, heart and body. “Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Ps 51:9).

Source: On Political Correctness, From the Servant General

IV. Conversation that leads to Conversion

Here are some steps that can help us in correcting a person who has committed serious wrongdoing.

1.     Right intentions – The aim is not to shame or bring a person down but for the good of the other that will lead him/her back to Christ. The ultimate good for the other is heaven and this will be achieved through conversion in Christ. Pray first and ask for purity of intentions and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this process. 

2.     Reach out and journey – Develop a relationship of trust and openness. Practice confidentiality. Relationship is important and can be established by our genuine concern and giving time to listen. We have been given two ears and only one mouth. Be more open to listening and not just talking. We seek for conversations that lead to conversion. 

3.     Relay the truth with love – courageously confront and tell the person what serious wrongdoing he/she needs to overcome. Pray that the Lord will put the right words in your mouth. Remember to correct in private and not in public. Speak the truth out of love and keep in mind the need to do it with the right intentions. This may hurt the person but only the truth sets us free. 

4.     Repentance and absolution – guide the person to examination of conscience and to have a good confession. Give schedule of Confession and if possible accompany the person to receive the Sacrament. Remember that this is pastoral care that leads to repentance. 

5.     Right support system – offer a support system such as regular 1 to 1s. Being active in MFC households and teachings. Connecting a person with a support group that will help him/ her to overcome their struggles. Ex. Courage Philippines for People with Same Sex Attraction

6.     Restoration through prayer – With humility always pray for the conversion of sinners, most specially for the person to whom the Lord is calling you to guide towards repentance. Remember it is not us who can change a person, only God. May we find inspiration from St. Monica who prayed for the conversion of her son St. Augustine. 

During the time of conversation, confrontation and correction remember that you are not alone, God is with you and He is at work. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Mt 18:20 

V. Conclusion

To accompany sinners without talking of their sin is not love. It is false mercy. Serious sin will keep God’s people away from Him. It will not be for their good, nor will it be for the glory of God. 

Thus says the LORD: You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked, "O wicked one, you shall surely die, "and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself. Ez 33:7-9

We are accountable to our brothers and sisters and we may fall into the sin of omission if we will not do what is right and necessary. By the grace of God may we all overcome our fear of rejection and offending someone. We seek to please the Lord and to respond to the call to conversion. We should not fall into political correctness. Let’s choose loving correction as this aims for the greatest good and that is heaven.

Discussion Questions:

What are the challenges that you encounter in loving correction?