Today I contemplate this image of the Forgiving Father. Our artist daughter made it for a friend who commissioned the painting last year.

The mingled grief and love  in the Father’s eyes draw my thoughts to God’s unrelenting love; a love that grieves at solitary suffering, and  rejoices to hold his child in his arms.

In our world, charity fundraisers must convince donors that their money will not be wasted, but put to good use among the “deserving poor”. How can we grasp the truth that God’s mercy is especially for us who squander it again and again until we find ourselves in his arms of love?

“Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need of your mercy.”