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"If God is for us, who can be against us?" —Romans 8:31
St. Paul asks: "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword?" (Rm 8:35) This was no mere rhetorical question for Paul. He had experienced first-hand all of these dangers and more (see 2 Cor 11:23ff). He knew for "certain" that nothing could separate him from the love of God (Rm 8:38, 39). This certain knowledge of God's personal love for him gave Paul the courage to be more than a conqueror (Rm 8:37). No threat could deter Paul from carrying out his mission.
When the Pharisees told Jesus that Herod was trying to kill him (Lk 13:31), this was no idle threat. Herod had just finished killing John the Baptizer, and he would also kill his own son who posed a threat to his kingdom. Jesus, however, was also certain of His Father's enduring love for Him. Undaunted, Jesus proceeded directly toward Jerusalem, Herod's hometown (Lk 13:33). It turned out that Herod indeed had the chance to kill Jesus, but didn't even harm Him (Lk 23:8ff). No threat could deter Jesus from carrying out His mission.
We are baptized into Jesus, and like Paul, we have a mission from God. "Do not be afraid" (Mt 10:31). No threat can deter you from carrying out your God-given mission.
Prayer: Father, I will not be intimidated (Mt 10:26) by threats to stop me from loving and serving You.
Promise: "He stood at the right hand of the poor man, to save him from those who would condemn him." —Ps 109:31
Praise: Viola, a quadriplegic, prays assiduously for the conversion of her son and for wisdom for her daughter, who serves in the state legislature.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by one of our editors.)
Rescript:
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, April 24, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 28, 2003