Vol. 6, No. 3, July, 2001

From the Editor
Sr. Jan Nattermann, S.N.C.

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself where you got your opinions on everything: education, marriage, child raising, problem solving, business, money, people, society, progress, religion, sex, music? How many of your opinions, beliefs, came from God's word; and how many came from the world's value system?

In Romans 12:2, the values of the world are not acceptable for Christian living. "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

We are subtly being conformed to this world and its value system. Just look around you. How many people do you know that hold others' interests at heart? The world says: "watch out for yourself"; "you are number one." But Philippians 2:3 says: "Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves . . . ." This passage then goes on to explain the kind of mind we are to have, that of Jesus, who humbled himself and became obedient unto death for our sakes.

This subtle worldly influence we cannot counteract alone or with earthly wisdom and power. Interior renewal is the starting point for each of us to make the world a better place, a Christian place. Then, binding together, praying, fasting, and supporting one another, we will be able to "prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."