As monks our vowed commitment is ordered towards ongoing conversion. The word “ongoing” reminds us that conversion is a process—usually a long one—and not a single moment or decision. So, although some of us may have experienced a powerful and distinct moment of conversion, and a definite turning towards God, the story of the Prodigal Son is one that is nevertheless repeated numerous times in the course of our journey back to our Heavenly Father. Obviously, I am not referring to major relapses into serious sin that separate from God and mire us in misery and unhappiness. However, our daily lives are repeatedly marked by sins and imperfections that do have us straying from home and from our heavenly Father. And so, ongoing conversion, involves that repeated turning back home after having, once again, set out on that well-worn path that descends towards death and misery. But, if our ongoing conversion is sincere and true, it is to be hoped that instances of straying from home will both diminish and be of shorter duration. This Lenten Season is one in which we recommit to this repeated turning back to our heavenly Father remembering that the further we wander from home, the more difficult it becomes to return.