Come Back to Me...

Those words come from a song that just came to my mind! The song is "Hosea" and the verse goes, "Come back to me with all your heart...," and that is followed by the refrain that reads, "Long have I waited for your coming home to me and living deeply our new life" (Heritage Missal, 411). That song came to mind as I think about the readings for this weekend. The prophet Ezekiel (18:25-28) says, "But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life, since he has turned away from all the sins that he has committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die." In the gospel, Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus says that the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before the chief priests and elders because they turned from their ways and turned back to God. That is what conversion is all about it. We are called to turn away from our sins and turn back to God. This is a call that is not reserved just for the penitential seasons, but everyday of our lives. We are sinners in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. We need to acknowledge our sinfulness, approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive the healing and forgiveness that comes from God alone. As Saint Paul says, (Philippians, 2:1-11), "Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. We need to put on the mind and heart of Christ. Do not be afraid! Come back to God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and very life. Let us truly feel the love of God in our lives and share His goodness with one another! Have a blessed weekend!!!