“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.” (Rom 12:2)

The word “transformation” in its literal meaning indicates a change of the form or makeup of something. Given that understanding, spiritual transformation calls for the change of the way we view things, the way we make choices, the way we understand things. We have been formed in our thinking and willing by our environment, by the morals of society, by the shifting of opinions. Years ago, prayer was part of our public life, whether in school or at home. Today prayer is relegated to a private matter.  Over two centuries ago this country was founded on the principles of religious freedom; God was part of our public life. Today, separation of church and state is interpreted as to mean  no mention of God in schools or public places; prayer is to be non-descript at least and non-existent at best. By the effort of a small minority, we are being transformed from a God-fearing nation to a God-absent nation. We are gradually becoming more pagan and immoral than ancient Rome and Greece; more barbarous and violent than the worse times in the Dark Ages; we have aborted more children than all those killed in the Holocaust.

Transformation is the answer. It is the revelation of the Word of God to us. This transformation is at the heart of our spiritual journey to holiness. Permit me to quickly sketch out the steps to the holiness God desires for us.  Each of these steps is prepared for and experienced as a result of the gift of grace from God. It is this initiative of God, who loves us first, which enables us to respond to the call of God to be holy. (To be continued)