Remaining loyal to the One whose love never fails
Reflections on the readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 2, 2020): IS 55:1-3; PS 145:8-9,15-16,17-18; ROM 8:35,37-39; MT 14:13-21
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
As followers of Christ, we are expected to recognize the trials and temptations of the human condition...
Today we hear St. Paul remind us that whatever difficulties we must put up with, whatever sufferings we must endure, they will never triumph if only we trust our Savior. God’s love for us is more powerful than anything, anyone, and certainly more powerful than evil. “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, not present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Paul reassured his fellow Christians in Rome, and all of us today, that no matter how painful or perplexing times may be and how easy it would be for us to lose courage, we must persevere.
As followers of Christ, we are expected to recognize the trials and temptations of the human condition, but not to allow them to come between Him and us. Only by giving in to sin do we build a barrier between God and ourselves. Even then, if we open our hearts to Him in true contrition, He will rescue us and save us from our own worst selves. St. Paul asks, “What will separate us from the love of Christ?” The answer is: nothing. We have only to imitate Jesus by obeying the will of our Father and cooperating with the gifts and grace of the Holy Spirit. This is the Way. This is Christ, our Lord and life. If we desire heaven everlasting more than this temporary home we have on earth and whatever passing pleasures and promises it seems to offer, we will stay faithful to God – who will always be faithful to us.
