# Take a Step Towards Jesus – Thursday After Ash Wednesday
*2017-03-01*

> Bill Young reflects on the Thursday after Ash Wednesday readings, inviting listeners to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus and to draw near to God.

## Opening Invitation

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today we’re reflecting on the readings for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, drawing from Pope Francis’s “Renew Our Hearts” and the Scripture passage James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double‑minded.” I invite every Christian to open their hearts to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus.

## No One Is Excluded

This invitation is for everyone—no one is excluded from the joy the Lord offers. The Lord does not disappoint those who take the risk of responding to His call. When we take a step toward Jesus, we discover that He is already there, waiting with open arms.

## Living the Encounter

In the life of every baptized Christian, we are called to remember the moment when Christ’s eyes met ours, when He gazed upon us with mercy and asked us to follow Him. Reviving that memory helps us realize that He loves us deeply.

## A Prayer for Closer Union

Jesus, help me draw closer to You and respond generously to Your call. Amen.

*Each step toward Jesus is a step into the already‑present love of Christ, waiting to embrace us.*