What's Hard to Believe About God

From commentary on the parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.

What is not surprising or shocking, to any intelligent and honest mind, is that God is not only all-powerful and all-knowing but also all-good, all-righteous, all-just. No one who believes in one supreme God thinks of God as a criminal or a liar or a sneak. But sometimes it's hard for us to believe that God is so forgiving and merciful that he seems almost crazy; that he goes so far beyond justice into love that he is as ready with his forgiveness even for our worst sins as was the father in this story; that (as the saints say) it is impossible to commit a sin greater than God will forgive if we are sincerely repentant—that is news, and truly amazing news; news that is good beyond all hope.

Peter Kreeft, Food for the Soul, Year C, Fourth Sunday of Lent

As has often been said by various people ranging from St. Francis de Sales to Father Mike Schmitz, we are our own worst critics. God is ready to forgive us when we will not forgive ourselves. Take a look at the speech the son is practicing as he trudges home and see how the father cuts him short, not letting him finish before forgiving. This is something to keep in mind if you are near the confessional as we enter the second half of Lent.