Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, Paul presents the question “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I’ve frequently heard this question while driving in the car and listening to Christian radio because of Chris Tomlin’s well-known song entitled “Our God” (linked below). Without the context of scripture, this question seems to infer some level of superiority or invincibility based on our belief in God. I will admit that such a theme of superiority makes me quite uncomfortable given Jesus’ command to love one another as He has loved us. Therefore I find it refreshing that today’s first reading puts this thought into the context that nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is much more comforting but still has its challenges.
Jesus demonstrates the challenges of this context in today’s Gospel passage from Luke when the Pharisees attempt to warn him to leave his current location due to Herod’s threats that he will kill Jesus. Jesus surprisingly references His purpose to serve God through healings and casting out demons that He will remain dedicated to despite Herod’s threats. Later on in the Gospels, we too are called to embrace a similar purpose to serve God and to remain steadfast to that call.
Given this context and call, I feel compelled to reflect upon those moments where I have allowed some sort of barrier to come between myself and God, failing to recognize that God’s love far surpasses some of the minor “threats” to my well being. Yes self-care is necessary and I’m often tempted to put others needs above my own, but I’m led to examine the times that I do such things for myself rather than as a response to the call to serve God more fully. How might we overcome such selfishness and instead acknowledge God’s greatness as the reason for everything that we do? How might we come to recognize God within me more fully and turn my selfishness into a determination to serve God?
I will admit that this context does allow me to look upon Chris Tomlin’s song with a bit more of a prayerful ear, my hope is that it may do the same for you as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJpt1hSYf2o
Mike Bennett