How My Son Schooled Me on Proper Nouns
The word of the day is conversal
Conversal is the state of being diametrically opposed to a particular position or simply a polarizing opposite. There are some basic principles that may assist you in your quest to gain a better understanding of this term. Are there conversal positions that you take in your life? Do you have a strong opinion about something that is controversial? There is probably someone with the exact opposite ideas to yours in the world. The two of you are conversal to one another in your positions because you are diametrically in opposition to one another or simply you have ideas that are polarizing opposites. Think of it in mathematical terms like the converse of a number or generally with some other words of similar meaning as follows; inverse, opposite, reverse, contrary, other, counter, transposed, or inverted. Specifically; Conversal is very closely related to antithetical or the rhetorical device of antithesis. Antithesis is a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else and antithetical is directly opposed, contrasted or mutually incompatible as found on (http://www.merriam-webster.com/). Because most of us are not lawyers, nor do many of us understand Rhetoric very well; we now have a simple way to express these ideas conveyed in an interesting new word “conversal” for common language usage. You are free to use your new word; “conversal”, as often as you can both when speaking and when writing from now on.
To be conversal in terms of the new evangelization is also problematic because when you are a polarizing opposite it is all but impossible to meet others where they are in love. Meeting others where they are in life with love is what the new evangelization asks of all Catholics. Here is what Church leaders have said about the new evangelization; “An essential part of living our faith is exhibiting credibility through believers' witness of life. Through their promotion of "action for justice," countless Christians have "put into practice the word of the Lord, who came to proclaim deliverance from oppression and a year of favor for all (cf. Lk 4:18-19). As participants in the New Evangelization, we must ask ourselves, "How do we today follow the call and summons of Jesus to seek out the stranger, heal the sick and welcome the weary?" (U.S. Catholic bishops Disciples Called to Witness). Even more clearly are the words of Pope Benedict 16th when he wrote; "Faith without charity bears no fruit, while charity without faith would be a sentiment constantly at the mercy of doubt. Faith and charity each require the other; in such a way that each allows the other to set out along its respective path.
Indeed, many Christians dedicate their lives with love to those who are lonely, marginalized or excluded, as to those who are the first with a claim on our attention and the most important for us to support, because it is in them that the reflection of Christ's own face is seen. Through faith, we can recognize the face of the risen Lord in those who ask for our love. 'As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me' (Mt 25:40). These words are a warning that must not be forgotten and a perennial invitation to return the love by which he takes care of us. It is faith that enables us to recognize Christ and it is his love that impels us to assist him whenever he becomes our neighbor along the journey of life. Supported by faith, let us look with hope at our commitment in the world, as we await 'new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells' (2 Pet 3:13; cf. Rev 21:1)." Pope Benedict XVI, Porta Fidei, no. 14
It is apparent that love is the key to being conversal and without love being conversal becomes a legalistic act out of loyalty or defiance out of hatred. We are not required to do or be anything other than love to one another. What you will find is that it is impossible without grace through faith. If you do some research, you will find that being conversal for this world means you are a fundamentalist or maybe even a terrorist. I would even say that to be conversal without love is to be anti-Catholic. It is only through the graces afforded to us in the sacraments that we can even come close to loving the way that Christ did. Interestingly he was conversal; however, not out of legalism or hatred. Jesus was conversal to this world in his time out of pure love. The key to linking the new evangelization to this notion of being conversal is love. Do you love enough to accept people wherever they may be in life? Are you able to accept what this world calls absurd? Only in the dimension of the cross can we be conversal because love conquers all. The founder of Gospel Advocacy and leadership Foundation (GALF), Fr. Jerry Creedon was conversal. Fr. Creedon loved. As he did so GALF is doing for those in need and we are giving you a way to be conversal as well. Please be conversal with us by loving those in most need in our community at: www.gospeladvocacyandleadershipfoundation.org
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About the Author
Michael has a Masters in the science of management, organizational leadership & change. A BSBA in Human Resource Management. Served eight years in the military. He is currently Vice President for human resource, strategic planning, donor experience, engagement, and training for Gospel Advocacy and Leadership Foundation (GALF). Michael is leading donor relations, engagement & training initiatives via social media platforms. He also provides and designs training for advocacy, public speaking & public narrative through story telling. Executing outreach to the community at large on the mission, vision, and values of GALF which is pronounced like a golf ball just with an A instead of an O to match our name. Michael is a blogger on social media who hails from central PA and now lives in northern Virginia who has been married for thirty years with seven kids and five grandchildren.
