By Jonathan Pinto
The word “conversion” in a religion/spirituality context is, I think, greatly misunderstood. It is usually taken to mean that someone has forsaken their previous stance (be it another faith, or atheism, or agnosticism) and adopted a new one. However, the term conversion derives from the Latin “metanoia” which means turning around, a 180-degree turn. To me, the conversion of a Muslim, for instance, to Christianity is less significant, than that of “bad” Catholic mending their ways to being a “good” Catholic. I use the term “bad” Catholic to describe those who flout the teachings of Christ and the church with impunity, and “good” Catholic to describe those who strive to fulfil them to the fullest extent possible given our human condition.
All of us are “bad” Catholics to some extent and therefore need conversion. If we think that just because we are practising Catholics we are fine, then complacency and stagnation will set in, and if we are not growing in our faith then we are declining.
Every day, every Mass, every Confession, gives us a chance to have a conversion experience. We could attempt to control or master bad habits or chronic sins (which is a big ask) or we could attempt to start new behaviours and habits that would take us closer to God, such as praying more regularly, doing good deeds, going to Mass and receiving the sacraments more often, and reading the Bible. But the key is that it requires action. Just thinking about it or talking about it is not enough. Whoever said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions knew what he was talking about. In the parables, the one son had the good intention of carrying out the father’s will but didn’t whereas the other son though initially reluctant, ended up doing his father’s will.
Christ said, “whatsoever you did (not said or thought) to the least of my brethren you did it to me”. At another place He said, “Go and do likewise”. At the last supper Christ said “Do this in memory”, and not “Say this (or think of this), in memory of me.”
Sometimes we have great conversations about faith-related matters, either in informal one-on-one discussions or at Bible studies and fellowship meetings. But if these just remain as conversations then there is little or no conversion. The Pharisees and the Sadducees had great conversations with Jesus but for the most part (as far as we know) it didn’t change their lives for the better. The tax collectors, fishermen, and prostitutes who acted on the words “follow me” or “come and see” were the ones who we glorify today as saints and exemplars of the Way. Whereas the rich young man who had kept all the commandments failed to do what Christ asked in terms of selling what he had and giving to the poor has achieved notoriety for the wrong reasons. He had a conversation but not a conversion.
Another enemy of action, and friend of conversation, is thought. Certainly we should “look before we leap”, but when we know what we are being called to do, asking “why?” or responding “I’ll think about it”, could delay, if not entirely kill, the intended action (though it may start a great conversation). When Abraham heard the Lord asking him to sacrifice Isaac, he didn’t ask “why?” When Christ told Matthew to “follow me”, he didn’t ask “where?”.
Great thoughts and great conversations give the illusion of great deeds. But they are not. They may, lead to great deeds, but often times lead to more great thoughts and conversations. It’s better to be Confucian and start a journey of a thousand miles with a step in the right direction than to have a great debate on the best footwear for the journey. And putting one foot in front of another will bring us closer to the Truth than all the conversation in the world.
Action leads to validation of the Word and would lead to greater understanding, and greater impetus to action. One can read, think, and discuss at great length about playing the piano, but the one who actually gives a recital (who does) is the one who really knows.
Happy Easter!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
A new beginning...
A new year (and semester) has started, so after a break, we are restarting our Fellowship meetings.
In 2009, we are having the meetings on Thursdays at 6pm. Our hope is that more people will be able to join us, since on Saturdays many (grad) students are out of town.
Our first meeting of 2009 is this Thursday, January 22nd. Come prepared to share stories about your favorite saint. Also, if you haven't done that yet, pick a saint for the New Year from the urn near the front desk of the Newman Center (I think it is still out there).
In 2009, we are having the meetings on Thursdays at 6pm. Our hope is that more people will be able to join us, since on Saturdays many (grad) students are out of town.
Our first meeting of 2009 is this Thursday, January 22nd. Come prepared to share stories about your favorite saint. Also, if you haven't done that yet, pick a saint for the New Year from the urn near the front desk of the Newman Center (I think it is still out there).
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Communion at Mass
By Jonathan Pinto
No, this is not about receiving Holy Communion at Mass. It is about the communion among the congregants. One of the most beautiful and least discussed aspects of Mass is the connection, togetherness, and community that is formed among the congregants at every Mass. People may not know one another, and may not interact before, after, or during (if the “sign of peace” is skipped, as it sometimes is), but their mere presence at the Eucharist unites them. And of course if they regularly attend the same service, these bonds can become very strong.
As you know, most weekdays I attend the 10 am Mass at the Brompton Oratory in South Kensington, London. Over the weeks, among others, I’ve noticed a somewhat distinguished looking and casually-though-smartly dressed gentleman at the Mass. And I also observed that he never went up to receive Holy Communion. Two weeks ago, I noticed him as I entered and the thought crossed my mind - I wonder why he doesn’t receive Holy Communion, let me pray for him at this Mass. Lo and behold, at Communion time, he walked up to the altar rail and received Communion. Yes, it could be a coincidence, but as I heard Joel Osteen say in one of his segments, “since I became a believer, a lot more ‘coincidences’ began happening”. And this is a gentleman I don’t know from Adams. I don’t his name, his calling, and since they never have a “sign of peace”, I have never shaken his hand or exchanged a friendly greeting or gesture with him. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I believe it was the Holy Spirit at work.
Yesterday, I was at 1 pm Mass at the Imperial College Chaplaincy prayer room. And as the priest and the rest of us entered from the lounge area (where we were lounging) a noticed a young man already seated. Obviously a student, he looked like he could be Indian, long hair tied in pony tail, with the most intense look in his eyes. Since it is a prayer room the seats are ranged along the walls, and I found myself seated close, and at right angles, to him. As Mass began I could just sense his intensity and that there was something stirring deep within him, and I just thought I should pray for him and for whatever is going on with him. This Mass is as informal as the Brompton Oratory Mass is formal, so after his homily, Fr. Geoff asked us if anyone wanted to say something, and for some reason, I curbed my chronic tendency to open my mouth, and thank God I did. After a typical silence that lasted 30 seconds or so, and just when you expected Fr. Geoff to continue with the service, my pony-tailed friend spoke up, his voice charged with emotion, “I want to ask something, which may not be related, ‘does God forgive everything if one repents’?” From that point on, none of the 10 or so of us (including the priest) could have failed to experience this boy’s struggle. Fr. Geoff answered his question and as Mass went on it became clear that the boy probably wasn’t Catholic or even Christian. He might have just been seeking peace by himself in the prayer room, when we trooped in for Mass. He kept observing the rest of us, and mimicking us in terms of kneeling, standing, sitting, hand gestures and the rest. He might have also have received Communion but the boy just to his right folded his arms to receive a blessing and this boy followed suit. That experience resonated with me the rest of the day. I have participated in thousands of Masses and perhaps have not experienced what this lad experienced. Through him I have experienced the Mass like I never have before. I saw him again today on campus. He looked so much at peace, almost radiant with peace. I tried to say hi to him, but he didn’t seem to remember me. Maybe I am reading too much into this incident, but I can’t help but feel that it was the Holy Spirit at work.
No, this is not about receiving Holy Communion at Mass. It is about the communion among the congregants. One of the most beautiful and least discussed aspects of Mass is the connection, togetherness, and community that is formed among the congregants at every Mass. People may not know one another, and may not interact before, after, or during (if the “sign of peace” is skipped, as it sometimes is), but their mere presence at the Eucharist unites them. And of course if they regularly attend the same service, these bonds can become very strong.
As you know, most weekdays I attend the 10 am Mass at the Brompton Oratory in South Kensington, London. Over the weeks, among others, I’ve noticed a somewhat distinguished looking and casually-though-smartly dressed gentleman at the Mass. And I also observed that he never went up to receive Holy Communion. Two weeks ago, I noticed him as I entered and the thought crossed my mind - I wonder why he doesn’t receive Holy Communion, let me pray for him at this Mass. Lo and behold, at Communion time, he walked up to the altar rail and received Communion. Yes, it could be a coincidence, but as I heard Joel Osteen say in one of his segments, “since I became a believer, a lot more ‘coincidences’ began happening”. And this is a gentleman I don’t know from Adams. I don’t his name, his calling, and since they never have a “sign of peace”, I have never shaken his hand or exchanged a friendly greeting or gesture with him. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I believe it was the Holy Spirit at work.
Yesterday, I was at 1 pm Mass at the Imperial College Chaplaincy prayer room. And as the priest and the rest of us entered from the lounge area (where we were lounging) a noticed a young man already seated. Obviously a student, he looked like he could be Indian, long hair tied in pony tail, with the most intense look in his eyes. Since it is a prayer room the seats are ranged along the walls, and I found myself seated close, and at right angles, to him. As Mass began I could just sense his intensity and that there was something stirring deep within him, and I just thought I should pray for him and for whatever is going on with him. This Mass is as informal as the Brompton Oratory Mass is formal, so after his homily, Fr. Geoff asked us if anyone wanted to say something, and for some reason, I curbed my chronic tendency to open my mouth, and thank God I did. After a typical silence that lasted 30 seconds or so, and just when you expected Fr. Geoff to continue with the service, my pony-tailed friend spoke up, his voice charged with emotion, “I want to ask something, which may not be related, ‘does God forgive everything if one repents’?” From that point on, none of the 10 or so of us (including the priest) could have failed to experience this boy’s struggle. Fr. Geoff answered his question and as Mass went on it became clear that the boy probably wasn’t Catholic or even Christian. He might have just been seeking peace by himself in the prayer room, when we trooped in for Mass. He kept observing the rest of us, and mimicking us in terms of kneeling, standing, sitting, hand gestures and the rest. He might have also have received Communion but the boy just to his right folded his arms to receive a blessing and this boy followed suit. That experience resonated with me the rest of the day. I have participated in thousands of Masses and perhaps have not experienced what this lad experienced. Through him I have experienced the Mass like I never have before. I saw him again today on campus. He looked so much at peace, almost radiant with peace. I tried to say hi to him, but he didn’t seem to remember me. Maybe I am reading too much into this incident, but I can’t help but feel that it was the Holy Spirit at work.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Saturday Meeting (2008/08/09)
On previous weeks the topic of time management has been treated in different contexts, so I'd like to bring it to the forefront.
- How do we use our time every day?
- How can we be able to schedule things better to take care of both our obligations as students/workers and our spiritual life?
- How do we handle distractions or unexpected events?
- How do we find time to pray or attend mass with our often busy schedules? Do you have good strategies?
Join us and share your thoughts on this.
- How do we use our time every day?
- How can we be able to schedule things better to take care of both our obligations as students/workers and our spiritual life?
- How do we handle distractions or unexpected events?
- How do we find time to pray or attend mass with our often busy schedules? Do you have good strategies?
Join us and share your thoughts on this.
Saturday Meeting (2008/08/02)
From our session leader Jonathan:
This is a followup to last Saturday's discussion on the
"peace that passes all understanding".
I did a keyword search for "peace" at Biblegateway.com
and got 247 hits. Peace features consistently across the Bible
starting with Genesis and right on through Revelation.
In the New Testament, Jesus uses the word peace both
as a greeting "Peace be with you" and as a a dismissal
"... your faith has healed you. Go in peace!".
And St. Paul refers to God as the "God of peace" in (Heb 13: 20; Phil 4:9).
The 2 passages that we will discuss are:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7).
Questions:
1. What is the nature of the peace that Christ gives us?
2. How is different from the peace that the world gives us?
3. Why does this peace transcend all understanding?
4. How do we recognize Christ's peace (a) in the world in general,
(b) in others, (c) in ourselves?
This is a followup to last Saturday's discussion on the
"peace that passes all understanding".
I did a keyword search for "peace" at Biblegateway.com
and got 247 hits. Peace features consistently across the Bible
starting with Genesis and right on through Revelation.
In the New Testament, Jesus uses the word peace both
as a greeting "Peace be with you" and as a a dismissal
"... your faith has healed you. Go in peace!".
And St. Paul refers to God as the "God of peace" in (Heb 13: 20; Phil 4:9).
The 2 passages that we will discuss are:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7).
Questions:
1. What is the nature of the peace that Christ gives us?
2. How is different from the peace that the world gives us?
3. Why does this peace transcend all understanding?
4. How do we recognize Christ's peace (a) in the world in general,
(b) in others, (c) in ourselves?
August Schedule
This is our schedule for August, send Jose an email to volunteer for leading.
| 2008 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 2nd | Jonathan | Peace |
| 9th | José | Time Management | |
| 16th | TBD | TBD | |
| 23rd | Chad | TBD | |
| 30th | José | TBD | |
Farewell Party for Jon and Jeff
Some pictures from the farewell party we had for our good friends (and Fellowship founders) Jonathan and Jeff, who had now completed their Doctoral Degrees and have taken jobs out of Pittsburgh.
Thanks Alroy for hosting the party and for the pictures!
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