There are many religious Catholics whose readiness to change is merely a conditional one. The exert themselves to keep the commandments and to get rid of such qualities as they have recognized to be sinful. But they lack the will and the readiness to become new men all in all, to break with all purely natural standards, to view all things in a supernatural light. They prefer to evade the act of metanoia: a true conversion of the heart. Hence with undisturbed consciences they cling to all that appears to them legitimate by natural standards.

This quote is from the first Chapter of von Hildebrand's Transformation in Christ. This particular paragraph stopped me in my tracks. I wondered – is this describing me? I even admit it made me question if I should continue reading the book because I was afraid of what I might learn about myself. I am now only about 70 pages from completing it and can definitely say I am glad I did not stop.

So, what about you? Does this paragraph describe you? If so, what are you going to do about it?

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On Sunday I posted about Dietrich von Hildebrand saying that “Only recently did I 'discover'” his writings. The choice of the word discovery was deliberate and in this post I want to explain why.

Anytime something is discovered by someone the thing itself already existed before being found. But before it is found, even if it is considered to be valuable, it is doing no one any good. Take for instance gold hidden in the ground in Alaska. Gold is worth a considerable amount of money, especially these days, but it won't make you rich if you leave it in hidden in the ground. On the other hand, if you know where to find it and put forth the effort to dig it up, then you will be rewarded.

While gold does have an earthly and natural value it is not of ultimate value for mankind, not even for those who wrongly think that the one with the most toys when he dies is the winner. We cannot think this way, because if we think rightly about who man is – that being a creature made in the image and likeness of God – then that which is of ultimate value for man would not pertain to things of this world. Therefore, our primary focus and our most important concern should be in regards to those things that are valuable in the eyes of God. Therefore, we must put forth the effort in order to discover those things that are valuable not just in this world but in the next, or, rather, that which is valuable for us in our preparation for the next. After all, this life does not continue forever. But if we believe that we are made in God's image with a immortal soul then we will necessarily want to prepare for that world which is to come. (But then, of course, it makes you wonder why so many people live their lives as if there is nothing on the 'other side'.)

I believe that one thing of such value is von Hildebrand's Transformation in Christ. Like the gold hidden in Alaska, it was doing me no good until I discovered it. Certainly, it was valuable even before I discovered it, but it was not helping me prepare for that world which is to come. But someone may ask, “What is there to prepare for? Doesn't everyone just go to Heaven when they die?” To this question a simple no will have to suffice for this post. If you don't believe me then read Jesus' parable of the Sheep and Goats or the Wheat and Tares. No, not everyone goes to Heaven because some people, of their own free will, choose to ignore God in this world which leads to their separation from Him in the next.

But for those of us who are not delusional about being “pretty good people who don't really do anything wrong” (this is in quotes because I have had many people tell me this or something like it) we know that we must prepare for the world to come. Who of us could say that we are ready, right now, to see God face to face? Not me. And even after this life is over most of us still won't be ready – even if we have made a serious effort to prepare during this life. (And that, by the way, is why God has given us Purgatory – as a place of final preparation so that we may be made ready to stand in the presence of God.)

Preparation for the next life is what God calls us to do in this life. And that is what Transformation in Christ is all about: helping people, that are willing to put forth the effort, to prepare for the hereafter. This book has greatly deepened my understanding of what it means to be a Catholic. It has helped me understand the teachings of Christ and of the Church better and to understand myself better by showing me just how imperfect and far away I am from being transformed into Christ.

But perhaps this book wouldn't be for you. It may not speak to you in the same way that it has spoken to me. Similarly, it may not have spoken to me in the same way if I had tried to read it 20 or 30 years ago. It was Divine Providence that led me to this great book at this point in time and thanks be to God I have now discovered it. If reading a 500 page book on Catholic spirituality seems daunting to you then start with something smaller: C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, or (and this may sound crazy) passages of the Bible. Ultimately, I don't think it matters where you discover things of true value, but for the good of your own soul you should at least look for it. After all, it will do you no good if it stays on the shelf.

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He’s not a saint or a blessed, but nevertheless, I am putting this new site for my blog under the patronage of Dietrich von Hildebrand. What I mean is this: even though he cannot be considered a true patron saint I will be asking for his prayers in regards to what I write on this blog, while at the same time I will be praying for his eternal soul.

Why, you may ask? Why not choose one of my many patron saints that have been declared saints by Holy Mother Church: Holy Mary, Mother of God, St. Vincent of Lérins (Confirmation), St. Ignatius of Antioch (ordination to the diaconate), or St. Cuthbert (ordination to the priesthood)? Let me try to explain.

Only recently did I ‘discover’ the writings of Dietrich von Hildebrand. While I was working in the Office of Marriage, Family Life & NFP here in the Archdiocese of San Antonio (a position that was recently replaced by a full time parochial vicar position at Our Lady of the Atonement) I came across one of his books in my office. That book is titled Man and Woman. Since the book was relatively short, pertained to marriage and was from an author I had heard good things about I decided to read it. In short, my reaction to that book can be summarized with one word: amazing!

This short book of his simply wasn’t enough. His brilliance and ability to explain things left me wanting more. (And this is similar to the reaction I had when I first discovered C.S. Lewis.) Therefore, after completing this book I immediately looked for another one of his books. After some brief research on the internet it seemed that the common consensus was that Transformation in Christ was his greatest work. So I promptly ordered a copy. That was about three months ago and ever since I have been very carefully reading it by way of lectio divina. Currently, I have about 100 pages of the 500 pages left.

Although I have not yet completed the book I can already tell that, in years to come, I will look back at the discovery of this book as a life changing experience. After completing this book my plan is to read more of his books and to do an even more in depth study of Transformation in Christ. The purpose of this would be to bring all the wonderful things he has to say to the people I minister to: part of whom would be the people that happen to read this blog.

Dietrich von Hildebrand hasn’t changed my understanding of what it means to be Catholic – he has deepened it. I could never match his genius and do not consider myself qualified to interpret his teaching but, as a Catholic priest, it is my duty to hand the Catholic Faith on to others. And that is what I propose to do by using what I learn from the writings of this truly extraordinary man.

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