Today we hear from the prophet Ezekiel, and he begins this passage in these words: “Thus says the Lord GOD: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way, that he may live?” (Ezekiel 18:21–23). My brothers and sisters, God doesn't hope that the wicked will persist in their sins, and neither does he take delight in our obstinate heart, in our indifference, in our complacency. But when he sees a truly contrite heart, when he sees that we truly would like to do better, he's already rejoicing.