# Ash Wednesday: Return to God
*2017-02-13*

> Bill Young reflects on the call to Lenten conversion, drawing from the words of Pope Francis and the Prophet Joel.

## An Invitation to Conversion

I want to thank our pastor, Father Steve of St. David's in Dade City, Florida, for the booklet titled 'Renew Our Hearts: A Personal Invitation to Lenten Conversion' from Pope Francis. As we look toward Ash Wednesday, the central theme is a return to God—a call to return to Him with all our hearts.

## Awakening from Torpor

Lent comes providentially to awaken us and rouse us from torpor and the risk of moving forward through irritability. The exhortation which the Lord addresses to us through the Prophet Joel is strong and clear: we are called to change our direction.

## The Need for Change

Why must we return to God? Because sometimes things are not right within us, they are not right in society, and they are not right in the Church. We need to change and give our lives a new direction. This is what it means to convert.

## The Faithfulness of God

Lent makes a profound appeal to remind us that it is possible to create something new within ourselves and around us. This is possible simply because God is always faithful; He cannot deny Himself and continues to be rich in goodness and mercy. He is always ready to forgive and allow us to start fresh.

*With fertile confidence, let us set out on the journey of Lenten conversion.*