Transformed Hearts

Grab

What new things have you learned or tried recently?

Grace

Read Romans 12:1

A transformed heart is a grace we have received from God since the moment we entered into a deeper relationship with Him - a gift that is meant to be experienced by many. All of us are called for conversion as the faithful are always encouraged to "try to live holier lives according to the Gospel". Hence, the transformation of the heart must not stop with us but must be shared to others the way we have experienced it from the people around us.   

Called by God to take part in the continuous redemption of mankind, all baptized are called to love for others and reconcile many hearts back to God through embodying these postures.

1. Attitude like Christ - Jesus can only be the true source of someone’s conversion. Thus, we must conduct ourselves like Christ - a life led by holiness and obedience to the will of God. As we learn in our community that “things are always better caught than taught”, being a living witness of Jesus can truly lead people to conversion. Yet, it can only happen if we continuously grow in love with Him. Our deeds and actions should show that Jesus Christ lives in us. This is pastoral care. 

2. Authentic Love - Shepherds are called to attend to their flock, not under compulsion, but, with sincerity, compassion and willingness. He knows them and they know him. Being personal to others enables one to be in a position to give guidance in strengthening one’s faith in God so they may withstand the challenges of life. With an authentic relationship with the people entrusted to us, we have a greater opportunity to share in a good and redeeming manner the message of Christ. This allows us to be truly present in the life and experiences of the people around us - just like Christ in us. A personal connection leads to personal and pure concern, and that can lead to conversion. St. Paul took God’s Word not just in places of worship but also to people in their homes. We must do the same as he did. 

3. Active prayer for conversion - It is only through God can a heart be opened and transformed. Thus, to truly care for others is to actively pray for their conversions and entrust their hearts to God, eagerly and constantly. This is the greatest act and most loving way one can offer for another. 

Conversion, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is “a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of his grace” (CCC, #1431)1. In all these, let us commit to our personal conversion everyday so that people around us may do the same by the help of Christ.

Gather

Who or what helped you in your personal journey of conversion? Given the three points above, what do you still need to improve?

Go Forth

Be an image of Christ to all the people around us by building a personal ang genuine relationship with them and by consistently praying for their conversion. Let us also continue to pray for our personal conversion everyday.

Give

God is Generous and in response, let us be good stewards by consistent Spiritual Giving, our tithing. 

For Tithes Remittance of NCR Members: bit.ly/mfctithes