FROM FATHER FLAVIO GILLIO
Lent, Conversion and Transformation.
The biblical roots of the concept "conversion" involve the use of the Hebrew term shub that means "to turn". The Old Testament uses it in a variety of ways. Indeed, the term can refer to both individuals and nations turning to God, or negatively, failing to do so (see, for example, Isa 6:10; 19:22; 31:6; 63:17; Jeremiah 3:10.12.14.22; Amos 4:6.8.10; 9:14; Zechariah 1:2-4).
In the New Testament, the concept of conversion is expressed through two verbs, upostrefo and metanoeo. Whereas the first one is close to the Hebrew verb shub, the second one means "to change" or "renew our mind". Conversion, in this perspective, is more a positive reality than a negative one. It has to do with getting closer to God and be transformed by Him. To use Paul's words: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:19). Conversion becomes a life-long journey. Its aim is to make us Christ-like. It originates from an encounter with the Risen and Living Jesus of Nazareth.
A good example is the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). Zacchaeus hears that the Rabbi from Nazareth is passing through the city of Jericho. He runs ahead and climbs a sycamore-fig tree, in order to be able to see Jesus. While passing by, Jesus invites Zacchaeus to come down. Together, they go to Zacchaeus' house. And something unexpected happens: turning to Jesus, the wealthy chief tax collector says: "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount" (Luke 19:8). Why such a radical change? Because of an encounter. The encounter with Jesus leads Zacchaeus to a radical turning point (Greek upostrefo) and to a radical change of mind (Greek metanoeo). Zacchaeus did not change in order to meet Jesus; but he changed his worldview and attitudes because of that encounter.
Let us make this period of Lent a fruitful time to get exposed to the Rabbi of Nazareth. Let us open and ponder the Gospels, to hear and receive Jesus' invitation, as Zacchaeus did. As we are. The Lord does not wait for us to change in order to encounter us. He meets us where we are. He meets our life and faith journeys as they are, to transform them by transforming us.
Are we open to the possibility of being transformed by the Rabbi of Nazareth? Zacchaeus was.
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