Saint Paul asks: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Such a suggestion provides us with a very high level of confidence and security, knowing that we have the support of our God, and thus we have no fear that anyone can take a stand against us. Another take on this question might include, though, a different sort of query to ponder: “If we are for God, who can we be against?”

In our present social reality, there seem to be two extreme responses to every social topic covered in the morning news: immigration, vaccinations, the environment, gender identity, health care, and the list goes on and on. Some families have been torn apart by members disagreeing to the extent that they can no longer come together for a family celebration. Friends have become enemies because they passionately disagree on an issue to the point that it destroys their relationship. Churches, too, have experienced the consequences of their parishioners positioning themselves on two different sides of the pews of “right and wrong”.

How can we live in the love of God without loving our neighbor? All have been created in the image of our God. How can political issues be more important than friends and family?

Saint Paul concludes his letter by insisting that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is not God that is creating separation among people; It is people who are separating themselves from the love of God, and in turn, from the love that we are meant to share. May our receiving of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ truly transform us into becoming more of the love that we celebrate at every Eucharist.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace, I leave you, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will… (The Rite of Peace from the Order of Mass)