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com/2013/03/03/conviction/

Conviction:
Whether referring to a verdict or to holding a strong belief, the dual sense of the word conviction is often intertwined as we seek to proclaim Gods word through our words and actions. The apostle Paul is one example; the twelve year-old boy Tarcisius provides another. Yet, in the very demonstration of their hardship and trial, these examples also reveal the depth of their faith, and the integrity of a life fully devoted to demonstrating and sharing the true love of Christ.

Scriptural Context:
Romans 8:31-38

(you can click on the links for the full Biblical text)

If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Reflection:
You have to admire those who, with their very sense of being, demonstrate an unwavering conviction to their beliefs, and the incredible integrity of character that inspires others to do and be the same. The apostle Paul was one such individual. His story is truly remarkable a testament to the life-changing impact the message of Christ can have. As one who early on orchestrated the persecution of Christians, Pauls life was forever changed upon meeting Jesus himself and being touched by his message of love, mercy, grace, peace, forgiveness and truth. From that moment, Paul became a driving force for the expansion of Christianity, and for growing a body of true believers and Christ followers. As one who initially persecuted others for doing the same, Paul, himself, was often tried and convicted for his actions. Indeed, his letter to the Philippians (above) was written while chained in a Roman prison. Yet despite this hardship (or even because of it), Paul professes his conviction all the more, expressing such deep, integral belief in the love of Christ that is the foundation to a life saved, and to a life of true joy. As a true disciple of Christ, Paul wants nothing more than to share the good news with others, with no regard to his own personal gain or loss in the process. Tarcisius was another such individual. What is remarkable about his story is, in part, his age. As a twelve year old boy, Tarcisius was already completely committed to a life with Christ. This telling of his story is taken directly from The One Year Book of Saints: Tarcisius was a twelve-year-old acolyte during one of the fierce Roman persecutions of the third century, probably during that of Valerian. Each day, from a secret meeting place in the catacombs where Christians gathered for Mass, a deacon would be sent to the prisons to carry the Eucharist to those Christians condemned to die. At one point, there was no deacon to send and so Tarcisius, an acolyte, was sent carrying the "Holy Mysteries" to those in prison. On the way, he was stopped by boys his own age who were not Christians but knew him as a playmate and lover of games. He was asked to join their games, but this time he refused and the crowd of boys noticed that he was carrying something. Somehow, he was also recognized as a Christian, and the small gang of boys, anxious to view the Christian "Mysteries," became a mob and turned upon Tarcisius with fury. He went down under the blows, and it is believed that a fellow Christian drove off the mob and rescued the young acolyte. The mangled body of Tarcisius was carried back to the catacombs, but the boy died on the way from his injuries. Such conviction from one so young.

What these two examples show, of course, is the depth of belief that can prompt one to act, even in the face of hardship or trial. But what they also emulate is their ultimate role model that of Christ himself. His life story is, of course, the definitive example of conviction, in both senses of the word. Especially now in this time leading up to Easter, we cannot help but see and appreciate the conviction with which He lived his life, to show us the true path to joy, peace, love and a life lived in close relationship to our God. Astonishingly, his death on the cross showed his deep commitment to be convicted on our behalf. And in awe and with rejoicing, we recognize his resurrection as having carved out a new path for us for our own journey of belief and action towards sharing that joy with others. When trials do come, and when we face possible persecution for our beliefs, may we also be convinced in the certainty of the love of Christ, so that we may act with conviction, and in that action, demonstrate what true love, peace, joy, forgiveness, mercy and grace are all about, all the while pointing the way to our true role model, Christ himself. In his eloquence, Pauls words from his letter to the Philippians resonate here: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)