Returning to God with Trust and Love
Isaiah 58:9-14; Psalm 86:1-6; Luke 5:27-32
As we continue our Lenten journey, today’s Psalm reminds us of something essential: who God truly is. He is good, forgiving, and full of love for all who call upon Him. This is a truth that runs throughout the Old Testament, especially in the darkest moments of Israel’s history. Again and again, God’s people turned away from Him, yet He remained faithful. He never stopped calling them back. And that is why the Church urges us to repentance—not because we should be afraid, but because we can trust in His mercy. If God is so compassionate, what are we waiting for? Why hesitate to confess our sins and return to Him?
The readings today also give us practical advice on how to draw closer to God. In the book of Isaiah, we hear something that may surprise us: one of the first steps in conversion is to purify our speech. Words have power. They can build up, but they can also tear down. How often do we speak negatively about others? Even if what we say is true, does it help? Does it encourage? Does it reflect the love of God? Gossip, accusations, and hurtful words weaken not only our own hearts but also the love others have for the person we speak about. Isaiah reminds us: if we remove these things from our speech, if we choose to speak words of kindness and truth, then our lives will be like a well-watered garden, full of life and fruitfulness.
Another way to return to God is to keep the Lord’s day holy. Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Lent, a time to renew our commitment to honoring God, especially on Sundays. Do we dedicate this day to Him, or is it just another busy day for us? Sunday is meant to be a time of spiritual renewal, a day to rest in God, to pray, to reflect, and to let Him nourish our souls. If we make space for Him, He will fill it with His grace.
In the Gospel, Jesus reveals Himself as the divine physician. He has not come for the righteous but for sinners. That means He has come for us. He does not wait for us to be perfect before He calls us—He calls us as we are. Like a doctor who does not turn away the sick, Jesus welcomes us, with all our weaknesses and failings. And He does not just forgive; He heals. This is exactly what today’s Psalm tells us: our God is full of compassion, overflowing with mercy. The more we understand this, the more we will trust Him. And when we trust Him completely, our love for Him will become pure, free, and joyful.
So let us turn to the Lord with confidence. Let us let go of words that harm, set aside distractions that keep us from Him, and trust in His healing mercy. This is the invitation of Lent: to return to God, knowing that He is already waiting for us with open arms.