My brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you peace. Our poignant readings today at mass inspire us to ask ourselves some questions as to where we stand in our response to God’s demonstrable goodness in our lives. In both readings, God shows himself to be long-suffering to a stiff-necked people – those whom he saved with the strength of his hand, and yet who reciprocated this incredible love with incredulity and stubbornness of heart when conversion was being asked of them.