As high as the heavens

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us. (Ps 103:11-12)

For me, this is one of the most beautiful lines in Scripture. It reminds me that God is a loving Father, not a vengeful tyrant. All he wants is for us to return to him, no matter how far away we may have wandered. If you’ve ever been on an international flight, you know just how high those planes can get – far, far above the earth, above the clouds, closer and closer to the sun. And that’s only a fraction of the distance to the heavens! Yet God’s kindness goes beyond, way beyond, all of that. How far is the east from the west? When you think about it, the distance is infinite because the earth is round – east and west never really meet. You just keep going around, endlessly. That’s how far God wants to put our sins behind us. All it takes is for us to admit our sinfulness and seek his forgiveness – through true contrition, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and a resolute heart.