St. Thomas Aquinas who has revealed pages and pages of truths about law, mercy and justice. He brings the most clarity I have found regarding how those three coincide with each other and cause an abundance of grace to flood us.

Law is the a promulgated ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community.

Mercy is the alleviation of the bonds of justice that must be applied when law is broken...whether Gods or mans laws.

Justice is the constant and perpetual will to render each one his due. Some try and put justice and mercy put in opposition to each other. The purpose of mercy is not just to wipe out justice as if it were a financial or business transaction.

To bring some practicality to these virtues and enjoy the fruits of mercy, it is important to participate in three particular actions...which you also will notice to be simply great parenting skills.

I call it CPA just like a certified public accountant who is employed to watch, guard and manage your money.

C. A Contrite heart that confesses his sins which is an action not just a thought.

P. Penance. An act of repairing damage done. An example would be as follows. My son stole a coca cola. "I am sorry dad" That is not good enough my son, now go return a coca cola...and you know, take another one with you which will be purchased from you piggy bank.

A. Amendment. a deep personal commitment to change that proceeds deeply out of your will with the intention to not perform that act or thought again.

These three processes break the bonds of justice and Gods mercy can flow. To simply feel bad about sin and pass it by as "well, I am just a human" is insufficient and it never brings you to the Ps. 51 King David type of sorrow, contrition and therefore ultimately joy.