Today's Gospel is from a passage of John where Jesus' credentials are being questioned by some of his enemies. Jesus re-affirms that God himself in several ways is the witness to the truth of all that Jesus says. They refuse to accept Jesus, yet some other individual will come making claims and they will accept him. Further they keep themselves locked into their own traditions rather than looking further to someone who clearly comes from God. We, too, can close our eyes to God's clear call in our lives.

However, as the First Reading reminds us, our God is a compassionate God who does not want to punish us and will be reconciled with us whenever we step back from our wrongdoing and lack of trust in him. Moses' intercession on behalf of his people foreshadows that of Christ, who won forgiveness for our sin on the Cross.

How much of all this applies to us? Where do we ultimately put our faith? In the Christ of the New Testament or in a Jesus we have tailored to our own wants - the way the Israelites fashioned God in the form of a bull?

Let us be aware at this time of the countless gifts God has given us and continues to shower on us. At the same time, we know that, when we fail, his mercy and compassion are there for us always. But let that compassion draw us closer to him and to Jesus and help us to leave behind every lack of love in our lives.