Lectionary Reflection
Year B, Lent 2
Standard (Episcopal) Lectionary
New Testament Lesson
|
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.
|
| New
Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989
by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Church of Christ in the
USA, and used by permission. |
|
|
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.
|
|
Copyright © 1991-2012, The Environmental Stewardship Commission of the
Episcopal Church in Minnesota, all rights reserved.
The information on the pages of this website may be
retransmitted for information purposes, but may not
be used in any non-MEESC publication (other than that
of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota) without the written
permission of the Chair of the Commission.
All retransmissions, postings, and publications or this
webpage must include this notice. |
back
to original
|
|
Nan
Stokes was an active
member of St. Edward the Confessor Episcopal Church, Duluth,
MN, when she originally wrote this reflection in 2000. Nan and
we welcome your comments. Please address your comments or additional
reflections to Nan
Stokes or any MEESC
member, or mail them to:
MEESC
c/o C. Morello
4451 Lakeside Drive
Eveleth, MN 55743-4400 USA |
The MEESC assumes that all correspondence
received is for publication on this web site. If your comments
are not for publication, please so note on your correspondence.
The MEESC reserves the right to decide which items are included
on the website.
|
|
.