A Heart Turned Toward Him

 Readings 030326

I have friends and family who say they follow Him—
but they don’t come to Mass,
don’t gather with the Church.
They prefer to find Him in their own way,
in the quiet of their own hearts.

They are sincere, truly—
but I wonder if they are turning to God
on their own terms rather than His.

The Psalmist says,
“Like a deer that yearns for running streams,
so my soul is yearning for you, my God.”
That longing is a homing signal—
planted in every human heart by the Creator.

But longing needs a place to drink,
and God has provided the well:
the Eucharist, the Church, the Sacraments—
the living Body of Christ.

Today’s Scriptures remind us:
God wants your heart, not your performance.
He doesn’t ask you to manufacture your own goodness.
He is the One who provides the mercy,
the power, and the grace
that make true conversion possible.

His mercy is what transforms us.
He doesn’t want sacrifice without justice,
or prayer without repentance.
He doesn’t desire titles without humility,
or outward observance without an inward yes.

What He wants
is a heart that turns toward Him—
a heart that finally says,
“Lord, I need You.
Not on my terms—
but on Yours.”

Because holiness isn’t a private hobby.
It’s personal, yes—
but it’s also communal.
It’s never just me and God.
In the mystery of the Church,
it is always us and God.

It is worship that flows into justice,
and mercy that sends us on mission.

Prayer

Lord,
turn my heart toward You.
Draw me from my own terms into Your truth.
Let my longing find its home
in Your Church, Your mercy, Your grace.
Break open what is stubborn in me,
quiet what is proud,
and make my surrender real.
Gather me into Your people,
where Your love makes us whole.
Amen.