319th Meditation
“You are merciful to all, because you are almighty, you overlook people’s sins, so that they can repent” (Wis 11:23).
Our Father’s compassion goes hand in hand with His loving Omnipotence. If it were not so, how often would people have destroyed themselves, would have had to drink the bitter cup of their sins themselves and bear the consequences of their faults without mitigation. But our Father loves to pity humanity.
“You love everything that exists, and nothing that you have made disgusts you, since, if you had hated something, you would not have made it” (Wis 11:24).
Since you are like this, you look upon human beings with gentleness and long-suffering:
“You spare all, since all is yours, Lord, lover of life!” (Wis 11:26).
This is our hope, beloved Father. We cannot put our trust in our own works or in ourselves, but we can trust in you and in your love! And when we are in danger of becoming discouraged because of our sins and weaknesses, you lift us up again.
It is inconceivable how far your love goes! If you were not like that, then you would not be you, but an image that we make for ourselves, a figment of our imagination, our desires or our fears. But you are who you are (cf. Ex 3:14), and through your Spirit you make us understand this.
The gift of wisdom enables us to “taste” you, to savour your precious love. At the same time, it invites us to become like you, as your beloved Son urged us to do (cf. Mt 5:48). Then, beloved Father, we would become totally different, just as you wanted us to be from the beginning. Can we ask you to make us like you, even if we are often still so far from you?
Since you want it, we dare to ask you: Make us a cause of joy for you; do not cease to model us after your image; awaken us in such a way that you will be glorified through our lives. Please!