February 28, 2021
by Mary Sellars Malloy
Question of the Week, Second Sunday of Lent, Year B
Today’s Second Reading (Romans 8:31b-34) has long been one of my favorite Scripture passages. When I find myself feeling defeated, discouraged, or confused, I often quote it to myself. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b)
Like many of you, I’ve had a lot of things come against me. I’ve had days and seasons in my life where I boldly asked God, “Where are you?” (This year of confinement, isolation, and challenge might prompt us to frequently ask this question!) But the truth is, even on the hardest of days and in the hardest of times, God is for us. Just sit with this thought for a second. “God is for me!”
What does God’s being for us look like in our lives? It’s the note or call that comes on just the right day. It’s the beautiful colors of the morning sky that cause us to stop and say, “Wow, God!” It’s food on the table, a roof over our heads, friends and family by our side (or via Zoom!). It’s a good book and time to read, an answered prayer, or finding something we thought we’d lost for good.
And it is the gift of the Son, his Body, and Blood in the Eucharist. It’s the presence of community and the power of the Sacraments. It’s the truth and beauty of God’s Word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is love poured out on the Cross and love poured out to us through others.
This second week of Lent, make this promise a part of your daily prayer: “God is for me.” Be aware of the many ways this has been true in the past and is true in your life today. Look for opportunities to remind others of this truth too. A kind word, a simple gesture of thoughtfulness, an act of generosity can often be all it takes to let others know they are not alone and that God is for them too.
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. Also, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.