It is 18th March 2017. We celebrate the memorial of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop and doctor of the church. The readings are from Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; and the Gospel from Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. The first reading convinces us that God is so merciful beyond the understanding of human reasoning. We are gently reminded that God does not remember our sins all the time but God forgives us and removes our sins especially during this Lenten time. Pope Francis teaches us firmly with conviction, “I can and must state that there is no sin that God’s mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father.” God is neve tired in restoring us to the state of grace with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Even though we are always late in returning to the Lord to enjoy the cool breeze of healing and forgiveness, God comes to us so near and dear during this time of renewal and reconciliation. Yes, indeed the greatness of God is seen in God’s forgiveness and forgetfulness of our sins for good. “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Mic.7:18,19). The responsorial Psalm sings, “The Lord is compassion and love. The story of Prodigal Father teaches us that God waits for our return no matter how horribly we have messed up with the resources and benefits we have received from God. The parable challenges us to look at how we treat others who have been victimized by the merciless claws and teeth of sins. We all have a prodigal spot leans on the pleasures of sins which denies the merciful God and His forgiveness. God is eagerly waiting for our return from our aimless wandering in the desert of sins and pleasure. Just like the younger son, we should repent and return to the Father. We cannot go on living far away from God for a long time. We have every reason to return just because God wants to forgive us and to clean our souls and being darkened by sins. May the Lord give us the courage to be sorry for our sins and to come back to the merciful God. May you have a good day.