The first reading today is from the Prophet Micah. The words of the prophet are very appropriate for this Lenten Season:

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 (Micah 7:18-19)

Delights in clemency, has compassion, and cast into the depths of the sea all our sins. Such is the desire of God that all be saved. We just need to respond and ask pardon for our sins.

The prodigal son (of today’s gospel) figured that out: “I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you”  He even worked out a whole speech to ingratiate himself into his father’s good graces. He didn’t even get the chance

“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

It is as today’s Psalm exclaims: “The Lord is kind and merciful” (Ps 103:8). This is what awaits you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is why we go to confession: to experience the full presence of the God who loves us and desires to spend eternity with us.