Meditation Minute
"He is not God of the dead, but of the living."
Gospel Reading: Mark 12:18-27
18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 19 "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no children; 21 and the second took her, and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 and the seven left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife." 24 Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."
The Sadducees came to Christ to try to trick him. They did not believe in heaven or hell or the concept of life after death. Jesus identifies the source of the problem; the Sadducees want to limit the power of God. They restrict the almighty power of God. Because they cannot reason the idea of the life after death nor the concept of the resurrection, this must not be possible. The sacred mysteries of God are beyond human reason. Jesus identifies our God as a living God for a living people. The promise of life after death is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit and in the sacred scriptures. Our faith is constantly challenged. A person can have difficulty with the revealed truth of faith for these truths are above our ability to reason. These are the great mysteries that are presented to us through the sacred word of God. The Holy Trinity, life after death, the Eucharist are all great mysteries beyond our comprehension. We need to approach these items with the humility that true faith demands. God has revealed everything to us; we just do not fully comprehend what he has revealed. On earth, we can only begin to taste the fruits of heaven and eternal life. We must have both faith and hope in life everlasting. Christ came to reveal the resurrection. Her came to show us the glory of life after death and fulfillment of God promise to man. Through this revelation, we must believe in life after death; a life in which we are all joined as one body with our Father in heaven. We will no longer be tied to the bonds of earthly marriage, but united in heavenly marriage with bridegroom.
A Simple Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ strengthen my faith and give me hope in life everlasting.
Give me the strength to believe in the sacred mysteries.
Give me wisdom to understand the Sacred Scriptures.
Allow me to accept the Word of God without doubt.
Yours in Christ
Michael Marcon
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