St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

Conversion of Heart - Returning to God

Dear brothers and sisters,   

      Lent begins with a call, not merely to change our habits, but to experience a conversion of heart. Jesus enters the desert. The desert is not only a geograph- ical place; it is a spiritual space where distractions fall away and truth becomes clear to encounter who we really are.

     The temptations of Adam and Jesus are also our temptations: Conversion begins when we recognize that our hunger or temptation is deeper than food, power, control, name and fame — it is a hunger for God. Lent invites us to move from Adam’s choice to Christ’s choice; from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Conversion of heart is not simply avoiding sin. It is allowing God to change our desires, our priorities, and our way of seeing life. A converted heart prays differently, forgives more easily, and learns to love more generously.

     St. Francis knew this temptation well. As a young man, he lived comfortably, enjoying wealth, parties, and admiration. He desired success and recognition. Yet his heart remained restless. His conversion began when he encountered Christ in poverty as in the embrace of the leper, whom he once feared. He surrendered his honor and his prestige and embraced God’s will.

     Sometimes we think conversion must be dramatic. But often it begins quietly: choosing patience instead of anger, reconciliation instead of resentment, silence instead of complaint, generosity instead of indifference.

     Let us ask for the grace this Lent not merely to do something extra, but to become someone new, to really be you.

Blessings!

Msgr. Xavier Pappu
                     Insert:  Giving to God/Dar a Dios.pdf

                                    Please pray for vocations to the priesthood,
                              for the Priests of our Diocese; & for our Bishop.

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