168 BRING US BACK TO YOU woos ano music sy Bok Arandia sangancewent ay Norman Agatep We have been searching, yearning to find you, lost without your love. We long for your face, seeking our true joy, found in your embrace. REFRAIN ‘Cause in faith, you restore us. ‘Cause in hope, you sustain us. In light, you save us. In love, you bind us. Lord, bring us back to you. We turn to your grace, resting in your peace, sheltered from despair. We come to your heart, trusting in your will, strengthened by your Word. (REF) We vow to love you, striving to serve you, moved to be your light. We share your mercy, aiding the weary, blessed with our new lives. (REF) In light, you save us. In love, you bind us. Lord, bring us back to you. “Our hearts are restless until they restin you.” “Bring Us Back to You” echoes this line from St Augustine of Hippo. tis in God alone that we find true and lasting peace, hope, and love that renew, restore, bind. and save us. We sometimes consume all our lives searching for the Lord, looking itis the Lord who first 7 ks us out, lovingly longs: for our return, and rejoices in our thanksgiving, | ‘we seek to follow and serve him, \e todo his work and be his presence ftoothers. We draw strengthand inspiration from his eternal Word, ich constantly gives us light and , 4 . | 7 “Bring Us Back to You" is an appropriate Mass song when it reinforces and enhances the mes: of the day’s Gospel, and the theme ‘the season. The recurring phrase Lord, “bring us back” echoes Psalm 80, prayer for the restoration of the Lord's vineyard Psalm 80 is a Common Responsorial Psalm for the Advent Season and also appears several times during Ordinary Time. Furthermore, the theme of the song, about the love of God and reconciliation, makes it appropriate during the Season of Lent. ‘The words of the song also reinforce the theme and lessons of the Parable of the Loving and Forgiving Father (Luke 15:1-32 or 15:1-10). “Bring Us Back to You' is thus a fitting recessional hymn that celebrates the ‘goodness and fidelity of the Lord. In humility and awe of his great love for us, we proclaim our joy and gratitude in being reunited with him. “Bring Us Back to You" is an inspirational song, expressing our absolute dependence on God. In ‘addition to being a Recessional Song, itmay also be sung as an Entrance Song, in prayer services, and even as ‘secondary song for Communion