III. The Conversion of the Baptized
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Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation
of the kingdom: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent, and believe in the gospel."16 In the Church's preaching
this call is addressed first to those who do not yet know Christ and his
Gospel. Also, Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental
conversion. It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism17 that one
renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and
the gift of new life.
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Christ's call to conversion continues to resound in the lives of Christians.
This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church who,
"clasping sinners to her bosom, (is) at once holy and always in need of
purification, (and) follows constantly the path of penance and
renewal."18 This endeavor of conversion is not just a human work.
It is the movement of a "contrite heart," drawn and moved by grace to
respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first.19
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St. Peter's conversion after he had denied his master three times bears witness
to this. Jesus' look of infinite mercy drew tears of repentance from Peter and,
after the Lord's resurrection, a threefold affirmation of love for
him.20 The second conversion also has a communitarian dimension, as is
clear in the Lord's call to a whole Church: "Repent!"21
St. Ambrose says of the two
conversions that, in the Church, "there are water and tears: the water of
Baptism and the tears of repentance."22
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