Some of the Gems

contained in LSB are recent hymns singing the ancient faith. One of these that I've come to particularly treasure fits the Lenten call of God for us to come home. It's by Pr. Stephen Starke:

As rebels, Lord, who foolishly have wandered
Far from Your love - unfed, unclean, unclothed -
Dare we recall Your wealth so rashly squandered,
Dare hope to glean that bounty which we loathed?

Still we return, our contrite words rehearsing,
Speech, that within Your warm embrace soon dies;
All of our guilt, our shame, our pain reversing
As tears of joy and welcome fill Your eyes.

A feast of love for us You are preparing;
We who were lost, You give an honored place!
"Come, eat; come, drink, and be no more despairing -
Here taste again the treasures of My grace."
LSB 612

Isn't that exactly Lent unto Easter? With the prodigal, it's time for us to say: "Enough. Enough of the old way. Enough of the indulgence of self. Home to the Father!" In the warmth of His embrace, in His divine forgiveness, in the Holy Eucharist, we taste a grace so rich and full that His tears are matched by our own.