Come Back to the Cross
Two years ago, as our mom began her journey home to God, she held court in the ICU room. There were conversations with spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. One by one the five of us, her children, entered alone to listen. A strong and loving woman with remarkable faith, she chose her words carefully so there could be no argument. Arguing was pointless, you were not going to win, besides, she was usually right. She opened her prayer book, instinctively brought to the hospital, and handed me the prayer "Come Back to the Cross."
Dear Lord, you became man, suffered, and died to win salvation for all souls.
Look graciously on the souls of those who have drifted away from You and the faith.
Grant them Your grace to see the errors of their ways and return to the fold of Your care
Teach me to stay close to them during this trying time and strive to convert them by action and prayer more than by words that may antagonize.
O sweet Jesus, I trust You to do everything to bring Your children back to You. Amen.
Mom said, “Michael, you need to get them back to Jesus, get them back to His Church. Get the babies baptized.” Thanks mom. That isn’t too daunting. But isn’t this what we are ALL called to do? Is there a better time to start than Lent? Is there a better image than THE Cross? You share your favorite restaurant, movie, recipe…why not your faith?
In my early 20’s, I was lost, distracted. Working Sunday mornings was a good rationalization. I was busy. God would understand. Decades later, a framed prayer in my office reads: “Lord, I shall be very busy today. I may forget Thou, but do not Thou forget me.” Yep, it was mom’s, She is still teaching me.
Add these prayers to your daily conversation with God. Share it with those who need to see it. Seek the lost or distracted during this Lent; family, friends, or acquaintances. God will provide the words.
LISTEN to their story…it is still being written and Jesus has the lead role.
SHARE your story of how Jesus is your rock; how He gives you the strength to face the challenges of this world.
PRAY WITH them. It may be awkward at first, but both will move past it.
JOIN them during the Triduum and at Easter. Join them the Sunday after Easter.
There are three players in this story, Jesus, the lost, and those called to “Be Christ” and walk with the lost (that is all of us). Thankfully, all is possible with and through God. He gave His only Son for us. The least we can do is give Him our hearts and tell His story.