IT'S NEVER TOO LATE (to come back to God)

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE (To come back to God) TODAY we read About COMING BACK to God And the finding of the lost souls In chapter 15 of Saint Luke's Gospel Jesus teaches us about one lost sheep One lost coin-and one LOST SON Coming to his Father-who is waiting- With open arms It is the story of ALL Of us-because- We ALL become lost Along life's highway At one time-or another It is NEVER too late To come HOME to God- To our loving and waiting Father “While he was STILL a long way off His Father caught sight of him And was FILLED with compassion” Luke 15:20 IF nothing else-it teaches us At least one thing We should never give up On ourselves- For God our Father NEVER gives up on us As the parable of THE PRODIGAL SON teaches us He wants to see us RESTORED- Physically-emotionally-spiritually- And in EVERY other way “RESTORE us-O God- Make your face shine on us That we may be saved” Psalm 80:3 “Brothers and sisters-if someone- IS caught in a sin You who live by the SPIRIT Should restore That person gently” Galatians 6:8 “And the God of ALL GRACE Who called you To his eternal glory In Christ AFTER you have suffered A little while Will himself RESTORE YOU- And make you strong- Firm-and steadfast” 1 Peter 5:10 It is NEVER too late To return to God It is never too late To return to him Like the WAITING FATHER- and- The PRODIGAL SON-he is Just waiting for you-for me- For us-to return to him OUR God is not simply The God of the lost But he is-also- The God of the FOUND In this parable-the loving Father Catches sight of the prodigal son And is FILLED with compassion For him Our God knows our failings And our shortcomings And he actually WAITS for our RETURN This is the God Who searches for us UNTIL he finds us ALL the while Waiting for our return WITH LOVE “I will give them a HEART To know me That I am the Lord They will BE my people And I will be their God For they will return to me With ALL their heart” Jeremiah 24:7 And when we return- To our God-he will be waiting For us-just like the PRODIGAL SON For it is-NEVER TOO LATE To RETURN to God A God who is waiting for us- Who LONGS for us- And the RETURN of ALL of his people Robert P. Wallman 9-11-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.