One of the things that we are constantly being invited to consider throughout the Lenten season is to turn our hearts back to God – to recognize the areas of sinfulness in our lives, to repent, and to receive God’s mercy. That’s the message that we have in our readings for this morning.

In our first reading, God gives a message to the people of Israel through the prophet Ezekiel, saying that the wicked, no matter how sinful, have the opportunity to turn away from their evil ways and live. On the flip side of that, the Lord also says that the righteous, if they turn to sin, risk losing their righteousness. In other words, God is saying that the people are responsible for their own choices and the consequences that they bring. That same message is true for us as well.

As we journey through Lent, we have a good opportunity to look at our hearts and to ask ourselves: are there areas in our lives where we have strayed from God’s path? Are there sins we need to confess and turn away from?

The good news though: God’s mercy is boundless. He desires for us to repent, to change how we’re living our lives, to return to Him with our whole hearts, firmly resolved to strive to not sin again. When we sincerely seek His forgiveness, He is quick to offer it. He is waiting for us to accept that mercy. He is waiting patiently for us to come to Him so that we can be brought to fullness of life.

Throughout the remaining time of Lent, we will have plenty of opportunities to have our hearts changed by the Lord. Be open to those opportunities; be receptive to what He wants to do within us. May we invite the Lord in. Let’s allow Him to lead us more deeply into our hearts, to recognize our need for Him, to recognize the ways we have failed to follow Him, and to give us the courage to humbly seek His mercy and grace.

Image: Crucifixion of Jesus, Catedral Diocesana Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres Praça João Ribeiro Centro, Lages SC, Brasil. Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe. Used under Unsplash license.