Spiritual Transformation as Training

Two questions that arise in our RCIA meetings and in impromptu religious discussions are: Why doesn’t God just show himself and explain everything for us? Why doesn’t he just lift the fog of belief?

As I have mentioned in past posts (here, here, here and here) I like to draw analogies between the physical realm of exercise and fitness and faith questions or issues. In that light, I offer an answer to those questions.  I think it’s because it is part of the Christian transformation (training) process.

Transformation

A basic tenant of being a Christian is that we are to be “transformed.” This is reflected in St Paul’s writings:

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

“All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord,, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

So, we are all a “work in progress” toward that transformation to try to be like Christ.

Rather than dictating belief though, God gave us “free will.” I think there is sound reasoning for that.  Using our reason to choose to believe challenges us as thinking and acting human beings. By having to choose belief we can have a “true” faith and relationship with God not an imposed one.

Likewise, allowing a transformation in ourselves is a challenge. It is not a passive process.  As an analogy to physical fitness training, we also have to undergo training to become physically fit.

Transformation as Training

Wanting God to tell us what to believe in a full revelation and understanding of His will is similar to a popular question about physical training.  People are always asking ‘why can’t we just take some kind of fitness pill rather than going through all the sweat of physical training?’

The answer to this question is that both faith and fitness require a training process. But the process alone does not meet the need to develop one’s faith or fitness. Going through such a process helps to develop fortitude to stick with ones exercise or faith. The process serves as a reminder of what one’s goals are for fitness or for faith belief.

So what does a faith transformation process encompass?  Faith transformation requires physical, mental, and spiritual training components. There are several example actions that can aid in that transformation:

• Physical acts can include attending weekly and daily mass, practicing the beatitudes, following the ten commandments and practicing the works of mercy .
• Mental acts can include reading Scripture, Catholic and other Chrisian authors, attending seminars and retreats.
• Spiritual acts can include having an active prayer life, adoration and practicing spiritual exercises.

To be sure, we can take many other actions.  We can, however, view these mentioned as part of a (the old military term) “basic training” process.

Transformation/Training Discipline

From a physical training perspective, any good coach or trainer knows that good training regimen starts with a model of expectations. If we view God as a coach, He provided such a model by showing Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. In that sense God shows Himself as the model of expectations.

Likewise we must apply a training regimen in a disciplined manner if it is to have any effect.  Physical training has principles that underlie the training process. Many can be applied to the transformation process.

• Regularity – One needs to follow a training regimen on a regular basis for improvement to occur.
• Reversibility – It’s a “use it or lose it “principle. If one doesn’t follow the regular routine, the gains made can be reversed in what is called retrogression.
• Overload – One has to increase the demands placed on oneself for improvement to occur.
• Progression – That overload needs to be gradual. It takes time for improvements to occur.
• Adaptation – changes appear gradually in small increments.
• Balance and variety – The more variety of activities employed a better balanced transformation can occur. It helps prevent staleness to following a regimen.

Conclusion

A common term heard is that we Christians are on a “pilgrimage.” This pilgrimage is like an ongoing transformation process. It is not a “one and done” process but one of a continuing journey of training for a lifetime. As I tell my RCIA candidates, “Completing RCIA and being confirmed isn’t the end of the faith journey but the real beginning.”

Physical training is highly recommended throughout one’s life span, right into old age. Doing daily activities keeps on functional and helps prevent cognitive decline.  It keeps on involved in life. So, it can be too, for the transformation training process’s effect on one’s faith and belief.

Undergoing the transformation process answers the questions about God’s presence and getting answers about belief posed in the beginning of this essay.  It helps us see that it is God’s challenge to actively seek Him out, to find out for ourselves what God and belief are all about.

The transformation/training process forces an active search and exploration using our free will and reason.  In so doing we undergo a disciplined change in physical, mental and spiritual habits.

It aids us to better see and understand the image and likeness of God, one’s relationship to Him, and what are one’s subsequent responsibilities. In other words, it can be an aid to fully believe and participate in one’s faith.