Like some of the other great prophets of Hebrew scripture—Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Amos—Jeremiah had to first establish his “cred”—that his prophetic call was indeed from God—for the people to listen to him.

I’d much rather talk about love this week than rejection. What Paul says about love is so much more exalting than the discouraging story of what happened in Nazareth when Jesus preached there.

Jesus rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”

I have never been thrown out of any place. I’m a law-abiding citizen who appreciates order, rules, and regulations. Imagine my surprise, when I was approached by the papal security detail at World Youth Day and summarily kicked out of my seat as I awaited the pope’s arrival.

As we celebrate God’s banquet of love, let us remember that it is God who rescues us from sin.

Love is patient, love is kind. Saint Paul’s words to the Corinthians, beloved of weddings, have their roots not so much in the marital relationship as in his encouragement of the church at Corinth to overcome its differences.

All of us, though, are called upon to have courage, to take risks, to be heroes in the pursuit of our own callings, however humble they may be. —John Neafsey, A Sacred Voice Is Calling (Orbis Books, ©2006)