In the first reading today, it may seem God is portrayed as angry ready to kill off all the Israelite community. A frightening God who punishes severely. Yet in closer look it is not at all a spiteful God, but an all too human God who is reacting as anyone hurt would react. God is hurt. It is almost palpable. The disappointment is great. Tears can almost be sensed. How could they do this to me? I cared about them so deeply; I brought them out from the land of Egypt and in the first instance they go off to worship a golden calf. This reading is not about an angry God, but a God that cares too much. In life sometimes there is a betrayal, and it just hurts so much when it with someone so close like a family member. God is reacting in a very natural way. So, if it is closely analyzed, the first reading is not about anger it is about love. A loving God who is hurt because that love is not corresponded. Moses becomes an intercessor, a bridge-builder. He intercedes just like Abraham. And it does not take much to convince God to avoid destruction. God is easily convinced because he is ready to forgive in his merciful love. It only takes one person to say a couple of reassuring words so God can forgive right away. That is how much God loves us. Almost like someone so eager to embrace with loving arms. Sounds familiar? This is seen in the Gospel reading with the arms of the father, who waited eagerly for his son to come back. It is not biblical, but it can almost be sensed that he waited day after day for his son to come back and like the mother of Tobit, the father would gaze every day toward the sunset to see if before sun fall, this day, today, his son would come. His love for his son did not diminish as the days passed, but the expectation grew. If only today, my son would come back. These readings are testaments of the love of God toward all those who are wayward. God loves much and is quick to forgive. But it is us who do not want to return to God loving embrace. Many prefer to live apart from his love because they think they are not worthy of his love. How many days did the prodigal son did not think about returning but feared the reaction of his father? It took him days, even years to muster up courage to face his father. And here was the father waiting for him all these days. The readings today are saying: don’t think God is out there to get you. God loves you so much, God is waiting for you all this time. Just come back to him. Like St. Paul says praise Him the King of the ages, give Him honor and glory for ever and ever, for His great love is without end.