It is never too late to return to God

It is never too late to return to God. This Sunday liturgy talks about faith as acceptance of, or the
return to God. The parable of the prodigal son in today’s gospel underlines two aspects of faith:
individual and ecclesial (community). The individual aspect is reflected by, or seen in, “the
human heart”. In the Old Testament the Lord says to his people “Return to me with all your
heart” (Joel 2). “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” (Jer 31:31) The “new covenant” is to be
inscribed on the human heart by God Himself. This covenant opens our heart and soul to God’s
grace and truth. The human heart is a great mystery, for from the heart come good or evil
thoughts.
The community dimension is an essential element of faith and Christian life. Christ came “to
gather the children of God who are scattered into one” (Jn 11:52). The “we” of the Church is the
community in which Jesus brings us together (cf. Jn 12:32). Faith is necessarily ecclesial, meaning
lived in the community; and it is important to remember as we continue our journey on earth
that the faith journey cannot be faced alone, but together with many brothers and sisters in the
Church. Where are you on your journey back to God? Remember, it is never too late to return
to God.