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The process of continuing conversion
56. Faith is a gift destined
to grow in the hearts of believers. (156) Adhering to Jesus Christ, in
fact, sets in motion a process of continuing conversion, which lasts for the
whole of life. (157) He who comes to faith is like a new born child,
(158) who, little by little, will grow and change into an adult,
tending towards the state of the "perfect man", (159) and to
maturity in the fullness of Christ. From a theological viewpoint, several
important moments can be identified in the process of faith and conversion:
a) Interest in the Gospel. The first moment is one in which, in
the heart of the non believer or of the indifferent or of those who practise
other religions, there is born, as a result of its first proclamation, an
interest in the Gospel, yet without any firm decision. This first movement of
the human spirit towards faith, which is already a fruit of grace, is
identified by different terms: "propensity for the faith",
(160) "evangelic preparation", (161) inclination to
believe, "religious quest". (162) The Church calls those who
show such concern "sympathizers". (163)
b) Conversion. This first moment of interest in the Gospel
requires a period of searching (164) to be transformed into a firm
option. The option for faith must be a considered and mature one. Such
searching, guided by the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of the Kerygma, prepares
the way for conversion which is certainly "initial", (165)
but brings with it adherence to Christ and the will to walk in his footsteps.
This "fundamental option" is the basis for the whole Christian life
of the Lord's disciple. (166)
c) Profession of faith. Abandonment of self to Jesus Christ
arouses in believers a desire to know him more profoundly and to identify with
him. Catechesis initiates them in knowledge of faith and apprenticeship in the
Christian life, thereby promoting a spiritual journey which brings about a
"progressive change in outlook and morals". (167) This is
achieved in sacrifices and in challenges, as well as in the joys which God
gives in abundance. The disciple of Jesus Christ is then ready to make an
explicit, living and fruitful profession of faith. (168)
d) Journeying towards perfection. The basic maturity which gives
rise to the profession of faith is not the final point in the process of
continuing conversion. The profession of baptismal faith is but the foundation
of a spiritual building which is destined to grow. The baptized, moved always
by the Spirit, nourished by the sacraments, by prayer and by the practise of
charity, and assisted by multiple forms of ongoing education in the faith,
seeks to realize the desire of Christ: "Be perfect as your heavenly Father
is perfect". (169) This is the call to the fullness of perfection
which is addressed to all the baptized.
57. The ministry of the word
is at the service of this process of full conversion. The first proclamation of
the Gospel is characterized by the call to faith; catechesis by giving a
foundation to conversion and providing Christian life with a basic structure;
while ongoing education in the faith, in which the place of the homily must be
underlined, is characterized by being the necessary nourishment of which every
baptized adult has need in order to live. (170)
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