Ray Kreienkamp
6/24/05
Assignment 3
We see the alienation caused by sin in the relationship between the two brothers, Philipe and Rodrigo and the alienation between Rodrigo and God. Analyze the conversion of Rodrigo and show how the love and forgiveness of Christ (manifested through others) was instrumental in this conversion.
Clearly, Rodrigo's conversion was a result of Christ's love manifested through others towards him. The unlikely conversion of a slave herder toward the work of Christ undoubtedly was influenced by Christ. This metanoia, similar to the one of St. Ignatius, was first influenced by the love and forgiveness of Christ manifested by Fr. Gabriel. Fr. Gabriel grants Rodrigo a second chance even after Rodrigo has murdered his brother. Rodrigo, at first, doubted Gabriel. He said, "For me there is no redemption, no penance great enough." However, after Gabriel asserts him as a coward, Rodrigo opens himself up for penance. Although Rodrigo does not see it at first, Rodrigo later realizes that this chance has given him a chance to make something out of his life. Even though he is still pessimistic, this begins his conversion process. Then, Fr. Gabriel helps open the door for a conversion by having Rodrigo perform a vigorous penance. Rodrigo's participation in this penance opens Rodrigo's heart to the love of Christ because it opens his eyes to see the real light. It is like he has come out of Plato's cave when he sees the true nature of the natives after his penance. He comes to understand that these people that he was persecuting were actual humans and not animals as he had treated them. He sees the soul in them, and he develops respect for them. In seeing the good in these people, his heart and mind is truly opened to the love of Christ. Also, the natives open Rodrigo up to the freedom he can experience by working with them. Then, after reading Paul and other New Testament readings, his heart is moved toward Christ. As a result, his faith becomes so solid that he becomes a Jesuit, and he becomes devoted to the work of Christ. By the time the Mission is forced to be closed down, he has become so engulfed in Christ's love that he was willing to fight for the natives unto death. His conversion is evident when, right before his death, he said, "But when I became a man, I put away childish things. But now abideth faith, hope, love... these three. But the greatest of these is love." Consequently, as a result of Christ's love manifested through Gabriel and the natives, Rodrigo was able to find God and move from sin towards the Gospel.
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