An underlying theme of today's Mass is that we should not look at the faults and failings of others as if seeking to accuse or blame them for something. "Be compassionate", Jesus teaches us and immediately adds: "as your heavenly Father is compassionate." Wherever it occurs in the New Testament, the little word "as" invites us to a great deal of reflection. When it refers to God it is never really a comparison, for how can we mere humans be comparable to God in any way? But it does serve as a kind of comparison in that it holds up before us an example so that we may properly understand the high ideals to which our faith calls us and, for example, never think of compassion as a mere good human social grace. Compassion in Jesus' eyes is a divine thing and we can only attain it by the grace of God. "As" also serves as an invitation to us to realize and experience that God is very compassionate to us, and it is this divine compassion which teaches and enables us to be compassionate and provides the origin, basis and dynamism for our own compassionate behaviour towards others.