“How sweet it is to think that there is a Father (…) who is infinitely good, Who forgives easily and Who punishes only reluctantly and slowly.” (Message from God the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio)
“An infinitely good Father.”
When Jesus was called “Good Teacher,” He replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” (Mark 10:18). Our Father is Goodness itself, and all that is truly good comes from Him. Encountering Him, listening to Him, loving Him, and honoring Him means responding to and serving Goodness itself. In doing so, we too become good, because we share in His goodness. In today’s phrase, our Father adds the adverb “infinitely” to describe His goodness. With this, He makes clear that His goodness has no beginning or end—it is always present and always given.
Isn’t this certainty infinitely sweet?
“A Father who forgives easily.”
Oh, what grace for all of us! When You forgive someone’s guilt, beloved Father, it is erased—and You do not hold it against them again and again. It is Your enemy, who refuses to acknowledge Your goodness, who accuses us day and night (cf. Rev 12:10). It’s not easy for us humans to truly forgive without holding a grudge or hesitating to give someone a second chance. We must learn this from You, our beloved Father. You are our teacher, and we strive to be perfect as You are, just as Your Son exhorts us (cf. Matthew 5:48). If we learn from You and imitate Your goodness, perhaps it will become easier for us to forgive. We can always turn to You!
Isn’t that a sweet certainty?
“A Father who punishes only reluctantly and slowly.”
This attitude of Yours is also a great grace for us. Even when You punish, we know You have only our salvation in mind and seek to guide us back to the right path.
That is who You are. How sweet this certainty is!