text: Monica,
  I have to disagree with you when you write, “I think it's that there is no basis for a theology of unconditional love/mercy in either the Old or New Testaments, nor in Catholic tradition.”
  Consider this:  Divine revelation is an act of self-revelation by God to humans.  What we read in Scripture is not revelation per se, but the perception of the recipient as to the meaning of the experience.  Humans are always culturally conditioned and evaluate new information from the perspective of their respective cultures.  From very early in human history, the question of evil has had a great impact and influence on human thinking.  As Gen. 3 indicates, its roots are very deep in the Judeo/Christian experience and with it the belief that evil acts must be punished.  This mind set has colored our understanding of Scripture and Tradition.  
  It is the person and life of Jesus that is the foundation for the understanding of unconditional love and mercy.