With reference to John Guillaumier’s letter ‘Misquoting Jesus’ (March 26), the works of the flesh, such as impurity, immorality and the recent sex scandals, and the eventual tardy painful awareness of one’s sin could easily tempt one to despair and fall into a deep depression, thinking reform is hopeless. This irrevocable surrender to the world and despair is the greatest evil of all because God’s mercy is always available whenever a sinner turns to Him.

In these circumstances, the radiation of God’s love always takes into consideration the weakness of His creatures, when there is proper disposition such as hate of one’s sins because they offend God, and a firm determination to change one’s life for the better and achieve repentance.

We have many episodes in the Bible: Ninevites after they did penance at the preaching of Jonas (Jonas 3: 1-9); David at the preaching of Nathan (Kings II 22: 5-7); the Jews at the preaching of John the Baptist when the Lord was pleased and became merciful.

In keeping with the Scripture, we also have the case of the repentant who enjoyed God’s mercy (Mark 2: 17). And what better example can we find other than the parable of the prodigal son?

The psalmist says: “You, a cripple because of your sins, paralysed because of your vices you contacted, do not despair, start walking because the Lord will take you by the right hand and help you on your way.”

This is why the Gospel is the ‘good news’ for those who change their mindset, coldness and hardness of heart. There is always time to embrace the good tidings. Indeed, now is the time.