A Critical U Turn

Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart for I am gracious and merciful. (Joel 2:12-13)

We all tend to wander from God for various reasons. No matter wherever we are on our journey, we are personally invited to return to God with our whole heart for He is gracious and merciful. One of the most beautiful pictures of “return to me” in the Bible is Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. He had sunk so low in his sin that he could only hope that his father would take him back on an impersonal level as a hired hand. But when he came limping home, his father saw him from afar (he was looking!), felt compassion for him, ran to him, embraced him and kissed him. He welcomed the young man back on a personal basis as his son, not as a hired hand! What is the condition of your heart right now, I meant spiritually? Just as sins bring death into the world so forgiveness brings life and love to those whose seek it. Returning to the Lord is the key to experiencing God’s healing blessing. What’s holding your back? I invite you to take few moments to recall your sins and your imperfections and then slowly say this prayer: “I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (striking your breast, say:) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.” (Confiteor at Mass)

Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen

P.S.
Lenten Penance Services in the Bay Area:
March 14 Thursday 7:00 PM St. Bernadette
March 19 Tuesday 7:00 PM St. Hyacinth
March 20 Wednesday 7:00 PM St. Mary La Porte
March 21 Thursday 7:00 PM St. Many, LC
March 26 Tuesday 7:00 PM St. Clare
March 28 Thursday 7:00 PM St. Paul
April 2 Tuesday 7:00 PM Mary Queen
April 3 Wednesday 7:00 PM St. Luke
April 4 Thursday 7:00 PM St. Helen