Romans 8:31-39 / Luke 13:31-35
It is a historical fact that King Herod was a man who wanted, at all costs, to have no trouble in his territory.
He saw Jesus as a trouble-maker and he wanted Him out of his place.
Hence he could have sent the Pharisees to warn Jesus and to frighten Him.
But Jesus was not going to turn back, and He was adamant in completing His mission, even though He could see where it was leading Him.
Jerusalem had a long history of killing the prophets and Jesus could see that He was the next in line.
But He also knew that God was with Him and hence He had to complete His mission.
And that is also what the 1st reading is telling us.
In the face of persecutions, who can be against us when God is on our side? What can ever come between us and the love that God has for us?
St. Paul was certain that neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, not any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God.
St. Paul's certainty lies in Jesus Christ who is the visible love of God.
May we also be certain about the love of God, and put our faith in Jesus Christ who promised to be with us until the end of time.