IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Regional Seminary for Northern Luzon

Pantay Daya, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

CONVERSION FROM SIN

Gerard Louiez Perez Mapalo I

Why is it necessary to know and understand the ways in which psychosomatic

structure can affect the work of sanctification?

The work of sanctification takes the whole person. To ascend to God is an

ascent of the whole person. Prayer is an action of the one who prays—wholly,
body and soul. Integration is an essential part of spirituality. Thus, it is
necessary to understand the psychosomatic structure of the human person.
In dealing with people about spirituality, we are faced with persons who are
composite of body and soul. These two realities affect the action of prayer and
man’s acquisition of virtues. Let us remember that when we are faced with
people to deal with their interior life, we are faced with a whole person, not
with a pure spiritual matter. They come to us because, first and foremost,
they are humans, who like us, are in need of God. The psychosomatic aspect
of the person has to be regarded with much consideration to better
understand their struggles and to locate where they are in their conversion
journey. From understanding their humanity and nature as human person,
we can better let them see where God’s grace abounds.

What do you think is your temperament and how would you apply the tips and helps
given in your growth as a person/Christian?

Based of the four ancient temperaments, I could see myself more inclined to
the choleric temperament. I am a very active person. I like to do a lot of things,
but my weakness is in integration where sometimes, I do not see why I am
doing things. I might have a good deal of intellect but sometimes, I tend to be
less careful of what I say or do. I tend to respond immediately to people’s need
and sometimes, I accumulate so much task that I get caught in the volume of
works already. I also see myself as a generous person. I like to share what I
have. I also feel like I have authority issues where I keep people’s attention for
myself. I hate to admit that I like to be in the spotlight. One time I talked this
out to my guidance counselor and told me that maybe, I was too active
because I like to be in the pedestal of honor. Without the things I do, I would
be nothing.

Since I have learned more about myself because of the different

accompaniment opportunities that the seminary offers, I have started to keep
track of my psychological makeup. I have been practicing prudence in my
words and action. I have been trying to practice sensibility to others’ feelings. I
have been trying to redirect my energies and to balance them. Also, I have
 been practicing to say “no” also to people’s pleas so that I can have time for
myself also and do the things which are essential to my growth as an
individual. These, with the guidance of my formators and the people around
me, would lead me to become a true christian who makes community living a
harmonious one.

How do you understand “mastery of oneself”?

Mastery of oneself consists in one’s temperament and resistance. One is

naturally good and noble. It is our nature to be good for we are created in the
image and likeness of God. Now, since there is the reality of sin, evil could
take over ourselves and drag us farther away from our nature. Thus, mastery
of oneself is the constant choice of choosing our nature over sin. It is our
everyday commitment to be real the real image and likeness of God. Thus, to
be a real person is to adhere to the call of being good—always. We might sin
but a true human person is someone who realizes that he needs conversion
and the mercy of God. A true human person is someone who gets up when sin
lets him down. Mastery of oneself is nonetheless a faithful adherence to what
God created us to be.