I Was Religous, Then I Got Converted

REFLECTIONS
February 15, 2009

Any of us who have studied higher math (or at least attempted) know that knowledge of conversion is essential. Without an understanding of formulaic expression this field of study becomes laborious and quite frustrating. Anyone who has traveled can recall at least one strange experience where attempts to convert currency was neither easy nor fruitful. We now live in this wonderful age where we are converting our televisions from analog to digital signals. I haven’t a clue what this means except that from what I have read it is supposed to be a good thing. The word conversion has a variety of meanings. The first listing in my Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says, “The act of converting: the process of being converted - compare gene conversion” The second listing reads, “An experience associated with a definite and decisive adoption of religion.”

In Mark 1:40-45 we find a type of conversion. We would be quick to say it is purely a religious experience, however, it seems to be so much more. A leper comes to Jesus and begs to be healed, saying “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Jesus is moved to heal the man, but issues instructions to obey the Law of Moses regarding healing which required going to the chief priest before talking to anyone and receiving a blessing and ritual cleansing. The leper ignores Jesus’ instructions, instead telling all about his healing. Jesus knew there were a variety of professional prophets and healers in the region, but he saw himself not as part of a traveling medicine show, but as an agent of God linked to an historic faith, hence the instructions to see the priest. We are not told whether the leper is a person of faith. Clearly, Jesus linked faith with the process of being healed.

The conversion which takes place in this story is multilayered. From a math standpoint the life of a leper did not add up to much. He would have been an outcast, cut off from family, friends and society at large. Healing meant being counted, belonging. Being converted, a leper now had currency in community, as a member to be appreciated, rather than one diseased and despised. As one healed, the leper became converted scientifically from one person to a totally different person. The fact that the leper did not remain silent is either a clear indication of his faithlessness or absolute proof of his religious zeal. If one has to choose between being rigidly religious or whole heartedly converted, the latter seems the finer choice.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601