A Call to Come Home to the Heart of God

There was a time when the Church was more than just a place to attend. It was a place where tears were wiped away, where hearts were healed, and where people experienced the love of God in a real and personal way. But for many of us today, something has changed quietly within. Yes, we still come to Mass. We still stand, sit, kneel, and pray. But do we still expect God to move in our lives? Do we still believe that something can change inside of us when we are here?

Some of us may not have walked away physically, but maybe our hearts have slowly stepped back. We may have served in ministries and been hurt by misunderstandings or conflicts. We may have looked at the imperfections in leadership or seen the flaws in people and thought, this cannot be the Church God intended. Disappointments, unanswered prayers, or conflicts may have caused us to withdraw emotionally. Without realising it, we started protecting ourselves from further hurt. We stopped expecting anything new from God, telling ourselves this is just how it is.

But what if we have misunderstood what the Church is? The Church is not holy because of us. It is holy because Christ is here. The same Jesus who healed the sick, forgave sinners, and transformed lives is still present today in the Eucharist. The same Holy Spirit that filled the apostles with fire is still at work. The Church is not just a human organisation; it is the Body of Christ, and we are part of it.

Many people today are searching for meaning. They try to find happiness in careers, money, relationships, travel, entertainment, and personal achievements. But this search often leaves us more tired than fulfilled. We are surrounded by more conveniences than any generation before us, yet many still feel restless inside. Could it be that in searching everywhere else, we have missed what God has already placed right in front of us?

Yes, the Church has flaws because it is made up of people. Yes, there have been painful mistakes. But for more than two thousand years, God has continued to use the Church to bring healing, to feed the poor, to educate, to protect life, to stand for truth, and most of all, to lead souls to Him. Despite every trial, God has never abandoned His Church. The real question is, have we abandoned the Church in our hearts, even while sitting inside it?

Perhaps this is a moment to ask ourselves honestly. Have I allowed pain or disappointment to close my heart? Have I continued in routine without real expectation from God? Have I started to view my faith as something private and personal, rather than something that is meant to be lived in community, where we support one another and journey together?

God is not calling us back to more busyness or activity. He is not merely calling us to fill roles or sign up for ministries. He is calling us back to relationship. To encounter Him in the sacraments. To find healing in the community of believers. To remember that we are not saved alone, but as a people. When one person returns to God with an open heart, a whole community can be renewed. Sometimes one loving, faithful person is enough to change the atmosphere of an entire parish.

You may have stepped back because you were hurt. You may have felt unseen or unappreciated. You may have quietly told yourself, it is easier to just come for Mass and leave. Perhaps God is calling you gently, not just to return to what you do in the Church, but to return to Him first, because all true service flows from a heart that has encountered His love. Ministry is not merely activity; it is a response. And Jesus is inviting us back to the place where that response begins, in His presence.

If your faith has grown quiet, if your heart has been tired, know this. God has not stopped loving you. He has not forgotten you. And He is still inviting you into something beautiful. Your story is not finished. The Church is not just a building. It is a family. It is a home. It is a lifeboat carrying us toward heaven. And God is asking you to get back on board, not as a passenger, but as someone who belongs.

Let us not allow hurt or disappointment to become the reason we distance ourselves from the very place God has chosen to meet us. Let us return not because everything is perfect, but because He is here. (BV)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, awaken my heart again. Heal what is wounded, restore what has grown tired and renew my desire to follow You. Help me to see Your Church not with the eyes of disappointment, but with the eyes of faith. Teach me to love as You love and to trust that there is still a beautiful story You are writing in my life. Draw me closer to You in Your presence and in Your people. May I not stand at a distance any longer. I say yes to You. Amen.