Convert, that is, convert yourself, not others - (Lk 13:1-9)

After all, there will always be someone who I can say is a greater sinner and more in need of conversion than me.

In today's Gospel, some people come to Jesus to report to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mixed with that of their victims. How often are we tempted to approach Jesus to point out the sinners who need to convert? It might be easy for us to compile a list of those who should turn their lives around: atheists, gay individuals, politicians from various sides, neighbors, spouses, children, bosses, and so on. We rarely include ourselves on this list, and even less frequently do we consider this in the first place. They are the sinners. They do not convert, and they should.

After all, there will always be someone I can point to as a greater sinner and more in need of conversion than I am. Sometimes, being in the Church makes us feel more righteous, and we risk becoming like the Pharisee praying in the temple: "God, I thank you that I am not like this sinner." How surprised they must have been when Jesus replied, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way, they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!"

Jesus reveals their sense of superiority, believing they are more righteous than those who have perished. After all, their sins are well-known, and seriously, they carry the weight of someone else's blood on their conscience. Perhaps they assumed that Jesus would engage with them, getting caught up in judging those sinners. Meanwhile, the informers respond to the call for conversion. Their sense of righteousness, which drives them to come to Jesus while condemning others, is shattered: they are not bigger sinners than the other Galileans or than you. Don't feel superior because you are the same and need to convert. They were very disappointed by that answer.

Today, Jesus tells us not to think that others are greater sinners than us. They are not. On Ash Wednesday, as we accept the ashes on our heads, we hear: "Convert and believe in the Gospel." However, there is a temptation, especially when we feel more substantial in faith and more committed to the Church, to change "convert" to "convert others." But Jesus never tells his disciples: "convert others" or "they need conversion." We will always hear "convert" - you, not them. Though they might need it, Christ always addresses those who listen to Him.

 He was not addressing the pagan Romans in Israel then or the pagan peoples living nearby. Converting others can be a demonic temptation. Yes, it is rooted in godly intentions, but it goes in the wrong direction. Typically, the more we focus on converting others, the more we neglect our conversion.

We begin to remove the splinters from the eyes of others and stop battling the beam in our own eyes. Sometimes, this serves as a way to escape our sins - by focusing on the sins of others. That's why I appreciate that moment in the Eucharist when, in the beginning, everyone beats their breasts and confesses: "My fault, my fault, my very great fault." It always places me at the top of the list of sinners needing conversion. Me, not my parish priest, not a couple living in a non-sacramental relationship, not those who did not attend the Eucharist.

We Christians do not have the task of converting others or the world. Our task is to transform, that is, to align our thinking and hearts with metanoia—a profound change. We must move from our purely human and religious thinking to the mindset of Jesus and the compassion of the Gospel. The world does not need many Christians calling for conversion, but Christians who will bring God's Spirit into the world.

Fortunately, it is not us but the Holy Spirit who acts as the agent of conversion. That is why Jesus asks us today about the fruits of our Christianity. It is not our struggle with the world that transforms this world. The world will always hold more power. The world can change as we embody the fruits of the Gospel. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Let us transform the world, our families, neighbors, and society by loving more deeply, promoting peace, demonstrating patience, being kind, doing good, and practicing faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. However, we need to be consistently and personally converted to the Gospel. Myself!

Conversion represents hope; it offers a new chance. This concept is beautifully illustrated in Jesus' parable of the withered fig tree. The tree's value is determined by its fruit. Without fruit, the fig tree awaits destruction by fire. We are like a tree that deserves to be saved from that fate. However, God is infinitely patient with us, granting new opportunities for conversion. We still have this gospel "year" to bear fruit, but we must also recognize that this final year will inevitably come. If we fail to take advantage of this "last chance," we risk facing the same fate as the withered fig tree.

Until next time
fr. george