Ready, willing and able to forgive

Some of us have led very faithful lives, although none of us are totally free of sin.

Some of us have squandered our God-given gifts for short-lived, selfish pleasures.

Some of us may have strayed into a life that seems very far from God.

The message of today’s readings – the familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son (from Luke 15) and the prophecy of Micah (7:14-15, 18-20) – remind us that, no matter what we have done or how far we have strayed, God is even now ready, willing and able to forgive.

Who is there like you,
the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin
for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?

You will cast into the depths of the sea
all our sins...