Overview:

Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

A Reflection for Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31b)

Find today’s readings here.

Understandably, there are mixed feelings about taking lines from Scripture out of context. But isolating certain quotes allows for a different type of reflection, and this line from today’s first reading feels very powerful to me when it stands alone.

In the full passage, Paul provides context, sharing how he believes that worldly things cannot separate us from, nor truly impact, God’s love for us. And it’s a beautiful message. Yet this quote in particular strikes me, more than any other line of text. Such a bold claim, stated so simply, forces reflection. And when I think about God being “for us,” I’m brought to my belief that God is at work in my own life through the people he has given me.

I am blessed to say I have many people in my circle whose presence feels like the ultimate gift. I have a family who has modeled what it means to love unconditionally since the day I was born. I have a partner who offers me more comfort and support than I thought possible, through the way she makes me feel deeply seen and heard. I have friends who understand me so well it’s almost frightening, who make me feel loved in the way they eagerly commit to goofy adventures and quality time together.

That is not to say that my life is completely free from difficult things. None of our lives are that way. But this passage forces me to take a deep breath and a step back to gain some perspective. These types of relationships are not a certainty in life. I recognize how privileged I am, and it humbles me. 

We all have parts of our lives that make us feel this way. It might be an athletic or musical ability, a safe space that feels like home or a goal to which we aspire. Something greater than ourselves.

I believe God put each one of these people in my life. And I really owe him one. The realization of my blessings, these people, is both shocking and beautiful. If I have these people, is there really that much to be upset about? “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Jackson Goodman is the Strategic Programs Manager at America Media, creating mission-driven events in partnership with Jesuit schools and parishes. He is a graduate of Fordham Prep and Boston College.