Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota

Romans 8:31-39:
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all day long;
     we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Reflection on Romans 8: 31-39
by Nan Stokes

This year the winter was mild, and spring seemed to come so early, with melting snow and warm temperatures.  Even the pussy willows were "doing their thing" and making decorations for our tables long before we were expecting it.  In the depth of the time when there was cold and snow, my friend died, and in that cold time, my thoughts were about how many of my friends seemed to be leaving the world – and me.  Sometimes I am asked to read one of the lessons at the funeral, and choosing the words that speak to what they remember about their loved one is often a difficult task for the family members.  But this time I went to my friend's funeral and sat with all the others who were mourning and listened to the lessons and how they spoke to me.  This reading from Romans is one of those suggested, and it was so meaningful that day.  My friend was a devoted and devout Christian and much of her life was dedicated to her church and her good works.  "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."  And nothing will separate my friend and me, not for all the ages to come.  In this time of Lent, it is good to remember that we aren't alone.
 

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