Nerd statement of the day. Stick with me though.
So, in reactions, materials obviously have to get from point A to point B, and it doesn't automatically happen. There's some transitory state that they go through. It might be as simple as two molecules switching places, and that part of the reaction of being in the balance is the most difficult to overcome. Many substances don't have enough energy to completely overcome the transitional state. They'll get close once in a while, but then can't completely overcome it and so remain as they are until they again gain energy and try again to transition and become different products.
Here's some visual for you (who knew you were getting a mini-chemistry lesson today?!)
See, the reactants were at a lower energy, and had to not only gain energy to become products over the course of the reaction, but gain enough energy to overcome a transitional state to become the products.
Alright alright, enough chemistry, I promise. But I look at that image and think: "That's what it looks like in the Christian life!" We have our original sinful state, and we have sainthood...but no automatic step. We actually need a LOT of energy (orthodox teaching, faith, perseverance, CONVICTION, PASSION, love, etc.) to reach true conversion in our lives. If our whole lives were equivalent to the course of the reaction, then our lives are in a state of constant conversion, sometimes with the energy and strength to overcome, sometimes not quite making it and reverting back to stage 1 and trying again. But, if we persevere and keep trying to step over that transitional stage, those moments of conversion...those conversions of heart will propel us onward toward sainthood.
What is the activation energy in your life? What gets you going and pushes you onward to sainthood? What in life is so challenging that you don't have enough energy to overcome it, making it a stumbling block on your path to Heaven?
I love nerdy Catholics! This is a fantastic reflection!!!
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