"You must be persuaded that your sinful past is in no way an obstacle to very close union with God. God forgives, and His forgiveness is Divine. With the Angels, God was not merciful because they had no miseries. With us, who are full of miseries, God is infinitely merciful." Blessed Columba Marmion For Reflection: Do I consider my past to be a sinful one? Is there one particular sin from the past that continues to haunt me? How can God's mercy toward me in this regard be a stepping stone to greater union with Him?