Following Jesus’s own use of words from the prophet of Isaiah in last week’s Gospel, the readings for this Sunday bring us to consider the rejection faced by God’s prophets. But we also receive words we can rely on, words of love and trust.
God’s words to Jeremiah, in the First Reading, confirm him in his calling, and reassure him that despite trials he will never be abandoned.
The Psalmist sings of God’s help, justice, strength and dependency. From his youth God has never failed him.
The Second Reading is Paul’s beautiful hymn to love in the letter to the Corinthians. Love is the only true way of life which sustains us whatever happens.
In the Gospel, the people of Nazareth react to Jesus’s challenging words with anger and some even try to kill him.
Early on in Luke’s Gospel we see Jesus reaching out to outsiders, and in his rejection the cross is already present. Perhaps this week we may pray for the gift of trust in God’s love that conquers all things.