The Church presents us with readings that begin with the story of Moses.; not the Moses the leader of the Exodus but the young man confused in his self-perception; a messed-up Moses who in fear of pharaoh' s punishment flees to the desert of Midian to keep a low-profile for a while . Jesus is again at his sternest ; he doesn't curse the towns but presents to them and to us the fate that awaits us if we hear and reject the Word of God. 

The hope and promise brought to the Hebrews by Moses and to the whole world by Jesus is for us all who although stuck in the mud of our present world reality can see ourselves in dependence on God and respond 

                "in your great love answer me, o God with your great Love that never fades."

Dear Lord.  your Love brings us mercy let me return to you from the desert of sin that blights my life and messes up my soul.