The scripture readings for the second Sunday of Lent start with the dramatic story of Abraham and Isaac. Instead of focusing on the many attempts to interpret that reading, I'd like to focus on the second reading from Romans 8:31-34. The lectionary should have extended it's selection to verse 39. Here is an extract, omitting 32-36.
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? .... 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
These are encouraging words. We can draw strength from the idea that no power, spiritual, emotional, psychological or physical "will be able to separate us from the love of God…" Maybe that was what sustained Abraham as he climbed mount Moriah with Isaac.
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