Why do so many of us not respond like this?

I would speculate that it is because our hearts are compromised by lack of honesty, either through a self-justifying conscience or in that we hide from the truth of our own fallen nature.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus draws us into the prerequisite of forgiveness and  that is honesty

 “he would willingly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating but no one gave him any”

Why did he not take one?
For me Jesus is highlighting honesty,  as I think this thought would have resonated within the minds of many who heard this parable.
Pope Francis says we need to be a Church of mercy and so we do, but more importantly we need to be a humble Church, a Church driven by Humility, as Gods Mercy received in humility/honesty guarantees spiritual growth, which wells up into eternal life.

See link below
http://www.v2catholic.com/background/2015/03/2015-03-07Kevin-Walters-a-Church-of-mercy.htm

kevin your brother
In Christ