It is 31st January 2016. It is 4th Sunday of the Ordinary time. The Readings are from Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1Corinthians 13:4-13; and the Gospel from Luke 4:21-30. The first reading expounds the Divine love between the prophet Jeremiah and God. God’s love chose the prophet even before he was born. It is God’s initiative in loving us and inviting us to share God’s love to others. That is the mission for which we are born. We are born for others. This is very challenging invitation to love and to share yet God promises us that God’s unfailing and uninterrupted support to all who accept the invitation to love. Each one us has a unique and specific message of love to share with the others. God is with us to deliver this message of love. “They will fight against you but not prevail over, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” (Jer.1:19). The responsorial Psalm praises, “I will sing of your salvation.” (Ps.71:17). In the second reading, St. Paul presents a discourse on supremacy of love. Paul convinces us that Love is a gift from the Spirit of God just like all others gifts. But Love outlives all gifts especially hope and faith. “So, faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor.13:13). Everything could fail but love never fails. The Gospel shares the ministry of Jesus in His home town. People admired the eloquence and the fluency of Jesus in the scriptures. Since they were very familiar with Jesus, they took Him for granted. St. Francis of Assisi would say that Love is not loved. Miracles do happen when people love. When we get used to God, we may not feel the power of love. The attacks on the messengers of love and life are on the increase everywhere. God revealed God’s love through God’s only Son Jesus. God’s mercy goes this far. May we experience God’s love one more time. Have a good day.

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