Faith Conquers the World

The first letter of John from the Roman Catholic lectionary for today advises “those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also”. Luke recounts the visit of Jesus to the synagogue in Nazareth where He proclaims the beginning of His public ministry by recalling the words of the prophet Isaiah in the description of the actions of those who are anointed to act in the name of God. The actions described are those of love especially to the marginalized. The tension described here between the ‘anointed’ and those who observe the ordinary is one which exists for all believers. The faith of the anointed, all Christians, conquers the world when the action of that faith is seen in love that is offered without condition. It is a struggle. It is effective.