On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
How can you be so sure God cares whether I come back to Church?
Because Jesus told us so. Consider some of the stories from the Gospels:
- The story of the prodigal son, in which the father rushes out to welcome his son’s return and says, “Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.”
- The story of the vineyard workers who were hired early in the morning, and grumbled when latecomers received the same wage: “What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?”
- The pardon of the sinful woman, when Jesus is criticized for letting the woman bathe his feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair: “… Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
There are many more. God cares, and so do many of us in the pews. Come home. We miss you.
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