Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 314.

YOUCAT Question n. 314 - How do we know that God is merciful?

(Youcat answer)  In many passages in Sacred Scripture God shows that he is merciful, especially in the parable of the merciful father (Lk 15) who goes out to meet his prodigal son, accepts him unconditionally, and celebrates his return and their reconciliation with a joyful banquet.   

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1846) The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God's mercy to sinners (Cf. Lk 15). The angel announced to Joseph: "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). The same is true of the Eucharist, the sacrament of redemption: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt 26:28).

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Already in the Old Testament God says through the prophet Ezekiel: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezek 33:11). Jesus is sent “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt 15:24), and he knows that “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Mt 9:12). Therefore he eats with tax collectors and sinners, and then toward the end of his earthly life he even interprets his death as an initiative of God’s merciful love: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28).

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1870) "God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all" (Rom 11:32).  

(The next question is: What is a sin in the first place?)