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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 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. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Is This Your World?" from Remove the Mask of Lies, second album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, you rescue us from the hand of the wicked; from our mother\\u2019s womb you are our stronghold. YHWH, it is you who deliver us from all harm, from the fury of this world, from the anger of those unable to bear your truth.\\xa0 In chastising us you would show us the greatest love; but who is of love as are you, and so who is able to rejoice in your truth? Few there are, O LORD, who desire to know their sins that they might turn from them and be saved.\\xa0 Few there are who trust in you from birth even unto death \\u2013 who can place his whole life in your hands?\\xa0 Yet if we do not take refuge in you alone, we shall surely die.\\xa0 If we open not our hearts to your love, to your Word of truth that would redeem our souls, we will perish in our sin. The hardened heart of man would hurl your Son to the ground from the hill He builds His town upon.\\xa0 Break our pride, LORD, that we might be saved.\\xa0 Open our hearts to your Chosen One, to the love He brings to us, that we might see you face to face.'