To be converted literally means to be transformed. When we repent from our sins and accept God’s gift of forgiveness we are transformed into a new creation — we become the person God made us to be. But we do not transform ourselves. We are converted by God, which can only happen when we turn away from sin and turn toward God.

The bad news is that we will all one day die. None of us can escape that reality. The good news — the gospel we proclaim — is that if we choose to die in Christ — and we make that choice by living in Christ — then our tombs will one day be empty like His. 

The cross leads to resurrection. Without Easter Sunday, Good Friday is meaningless. So without Easter, Lent is meaningless. The little crosses we endure with our penance are meant to point to the joy of the resurrection.