God patiently awaits our decision to repent. It is a time of his mercy. The thief on the cross heard the prayer of Jesus in which he asked the Father to forgive the sins of those who have sought his death. He is the first to repent of his own sins and threw himself upon the mercy of Jesus. That story has repeated itself over the ages.

 

“Remember that little story from St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, when she prayed for that man who was condemned to death, a criminal, who did not want to receive the comfort of the Church. He rejected the priest, he didn’t want [forgiveness], he wanted to die like that. And she prayed in the convent, and when, at the moment of being executed, the man turned to the priest, took the Crucifix and kissed it. The patience of God! He does the same with us, with all of us. How many times, we don’t know — we’ll know in heaven — but how many times we are there, there ... [about to fall off the edge] and the Lord saves us. He saves us because he has great patience with us. And this is his mercy. It’s never too late to convert, but it’s urgent. Now is the time!

 

We can’t presume on his mercy. If we do, we may experience his justice instead. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.