Preaching Series: Transformation

Are You Willing to Be Transformed?

Like Jesus’ first disciples, you and I are called to “drop our nets,” i.e., to leave everything behind, and follow Jesus. We are called not just to be good people and follow the Church’s rules; we are called to nothing less than transformation: to be transformed ourselves by Jesus and the Holy Spirit and then to transform others.

Come to Mass during this new preaching series on February 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-March 1 and you will find out what it means to be transformed.

Here are some of the ideas we’ll be talking about:

• For a Catholic Christian, transformation means becoming more like Jesus;
• Transformed people transform people;
• Transformation happens when the heart goes from “give me” to “make me;”
• You will not experience transformation until you become dissatisfied with your current reality;
• Transformation is completely God’s work. We can’t do anything to make it happen. We can only prevent it from happening.
• Transformation happens from the inside out;
• When you are transformed what looks like you (your false self, your ego) will die but what’s really you (your true self) will live. This is what Jesus meant when he said “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
• Transformation is not just new information; it cannot just happen in our heads; it has to happen in our hearts and in our wills;
• Transformation is awakening to a new level of consciousness;
• We are ultimately transformed by great prayer, great suffering or great love;
• Transformation is a lifelong process;