Conversion is the process of moving from one state to another: liquid into vapor, analog to digital, sinner to saint. It’s metamorphosis and transformation.

Conversion is change, the only thing constant in life as Heraclitus of Ephesus is said to have philosophized. When we embrace change as an opportunity, we remain curious and new. We change work processes and products to keep our companies viable, and we celebrate changes brought by life milestones. Mostly, we thrive because of conversion.

So as our archdiocese goes through the process of finding All Things New, we should remember that how we participate in change can determine how well we experience our own conversion.

This journey aims to strengthen evangelization, our prophetic mission to proclaim the Gospel and witness the faith. It will better prepare us “not to re-evangelize but to a New Evangelization, new in its ardor, methods and expression,” as St. Pope John Paul II said.

Consider Jesus’ farewell discourse at the Last Supper. He prepares the apostles for His departure, but they are troubled. He tries to comfort them: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. … Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14: 27).

Jesus is telling the apostles that his eventual crucifixion is for the best. As Christians, we understand this, but the apostles struggled. Our faith helps us know that when we’re confronting change, no matter how comfortable, we should have the courage we wish the apostles had shown then.

Conversion is the only thing constant in our faith journey. As long as we’re steadfast in faith, we’ll move forward in hope.