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b'(Jer.1:4-5,17-19;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.71:1-6,15,17;\\xa0\\xa0 1Cor.12:31-13:13;\\xa0\\xa0 Lk.4:21-30) \\xa0 \\u201cI am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.\\u201d \\xa0 When God calls Jeremiah to prophesy \\u201cagainst Judah\\u2019s kings and princes, against its priests and people,\\u201d He tells him to \\u201cgird [his] loins\\u201d and commands: \\u201cBe not crushed on their account.\\u201d\\xa0 For though his people \\u201cwill fight against\\u201d him, they shall \\u201cnot prevail over\\u201d him.\\xa0 The Lord makes Jeremiah \\u201ca fruitful city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass\\u201d able to stand against attacks of any in \\u201cthe whole land\\u201d; He preserves His prophet\\u2019s life despite any danger or threat. In our gospel Jesus is likewise protected by God from any harm His people would inflict upon Him.\\xa0 Here in the synagogue of Nazareth, Jesus is called to prophesy against the faithlessness of the people; and though before He spoke His harsh word of truth they had \\u201call spoke[n] highly of Him,\\u201d now \\u201cfilled with fury\\u201d they drive Him \\u201cout of the town, and lead Him to the brow of the hill\\u2026 to hurl Him down headlong.\\u201d\\xa0 But the deliverance promised Jeremiah and sung of so beautifully by our psalmist is with the Lord\\u2019s only Son as it had been with His prophet, and \\u201cJesus passed through the midst of them and went away.\\u201d\\xa0 Though they would not accept the deliverance He brings, He is delivered from them. \\u201cO my God, [you] rescue me from the hand of the wicked\\u201d; you indeed are \\u201cmy rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety.\\u201d\\xa0 O Lord, \\u201clet me never be put to shame,\\u201d but \\u201cin your justice rescue me, and deliver me.\\u201d\\xa0 For you are \\u201cmy rock and my fortress,\\u201d \\u201cmy hope\\u201d who never fails to save.\\xa0 May I walk through all the difficulties of this world, all the darkness of sin and temptation and suffering, with you at my side, therefore with nothing to fear.\\xa0 Make me strong as your prophet, as your Son, for my life is in your Hand. Brothers and sisters, soon all persecution will pass away with all the imperfect trappings of this desolate earth, and only God\\u2019s love will remain.\\xa0 Let us be as He who \\u201cendures all things\\u201d; let us be of love.\\xa0 And nothing of this world shall touch us as we pass through its midst, shielded by the Word of God, guarded by His eminent love. \\xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. \\xa0 Music: "Speaking of God" from The Whole Whale, eighth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. \\xa0 ******* O LORD, blessed are the lowly ones, for they shall be with you in Heaven. \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0YHWH, make us your lowly servants that we might be blessed as your Son, blessed to be called your children. For you look upon the lowly and the poor with mercy; those who are bowed down you raise up. Help us always to be humble before you and make our boast only in your love. \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0Your Son has come to call the weak of this world, those who are despised for their humility, those who seem certain to be cast aside for their lack of wealth and power in this life. But to shame the wise, to break the pride of those who are rich in their own eyes, you have chosen, O LORD, to bless the meek of the land with all graces \\u2013 even your kingdom you give to us. \\xa0 \\xa0 \\xa0And so, what care we for the persecution we must suffer for the sake of your Name? We thirst only for your presence and so do not mourn the passing of this vain world but only that we cannot come more quickly to your side. O let our heart be clean as your only Son\\u2019s, that we might look upon you, O LORD our God!'