Matt Self
Section 4 Test Essay
11/7/06
The Effects of Love on Rodrigo

Rodrigo had been a man that lived for money; he was a mercenary that captured slaves and killed them as he pleased. After he saw his brother in bed with Carlotta whom Rodrigo loved, he kills the brother. After the death, Rodrigo feels terrible about his actions and consequently views himself as unredeemable. He believes that neither God nor anyone else will forgive him for such a grave sin. However, Father Gabriel tries to tell Rodrigo that he can choose his own penance so that he may be right in the eyes of God. He decides to accompany the Jesuits to their mission and while making the rigorous journey, carries a heavy bag of armor with him for his penance. When they arrive at the mission, the Indians recognize him as slave trader and threaten to kill him. However, they forgive him and cut away his armor; he then begins to cry, and the people embrace him as a member of their village.

Rodrigo experiences a metanoia and starts a new life that embraces the love of Christ. He had been a ruthless killer that became a loving missionary. The Indians forgive him, and he then forgives himself for his past actions. They exemplified Jesus’s model of showing love and forgiveness to one’s enemies. Although he had done horrible things to their people, the Guarani accepted Rodrigo in their lives. As a result, he began to live his life by these principles after seeing the possible effects of their manifestation through people. He was so touched by the actions of the Indians that he embraced their values as his own. Without the love and forgiveness of the Indians, Rodrigo would not have experienced God’s love so intimately.

Father Gabriel was willing to give Rodrigo another chance at life and showed him that God would always love him. He was the instrument of God that shed light into Rodrigo’s life of darkness. Father Gabriel helped him realize that his life still had value and also that he could redeem himself. He brought Rodrigo back to God by giving him another chance and taking him to the mission. Father Gabriel’s faith in the power of love was so strong that it became an influential part of Rodrigo’s life; unfortunately, Rodrigo didn't adopt it as his own quality. Father Gabriel was the catalyst that spurred Rodrigo’s journey back to God.

Rodrigo was no longer a mercenary but rather an instrument of God that tried to show the love and forgiveness of Christ that he had previously experienced. After the Indians forgave him and Father Gabriel offered him help, Rodrigo couldn't continue his previous life; he had a new opportunity to find happiness and needed the help. His conversion demonstrates that anyone at anytime can return to the values of Jesus, if he/she makes a sincere effort to do so. The change in Rodrigo is very dramatic—almost completely opposite—but such is the power of love in everyday life; people can use it to help others and bring them back to God, just as Father Gabriel did with Rodrigo. Love and forgiveness are two of the most powerful tools when utilized properly; their use can set an example for others so that they may spread the Jesus’s message of love, as well.

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