32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YR C
2Macc. 7:1-2.9-14; Ps 17
2Thes. 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38
THE RESURRECTION IS A REALITY
It is common place these days to hear many Christians make claim to the “power of the resurrection” to help them breakthrough their challenges in life. If care is not taken the idea of the resurrection would become merely an allusion to the power of God in our lives rather than a reality to prepare towards.
But in today’s gospel Jesus speaks of the resurrection as a place to be which is Heaven. It is a place of reward for those who have been faithful to the end. He speaks of the nature of Heaven and those who would be admitted to it.
In our gospel, we read that the Sadducees confront Jesus on the doctrine of resurrection. Luke commented that these group of people do not believe in the resurrection. This is because they accept only the Torah (first five books of the Bible) as their collection of sacred books.
Their question assumes the practice of levirate marriage. In fact, levirate marriage is somehow attested to in Deuteronomy 25:5-10 “…when brothers live together and one of them dies without a son, the widow of the deceased shall not marry anyone outside the family ; but her husband’s brother shall go to her and perform the duty of a brother-in-law by marrying her…”. The Sadducees question has to do with who would be the husband of the widow in the resurrection when all seven (7) brothers have married her. Their question was meant to point out the absurdity of the doctrine of the resurrection.
In an answer to them, Jesus points out that their perception about the resurrection and heaven is wrong. We can easily think that Heaven is simply another version of Heaven or a better version. Jesus disputes this perception. Heaven is nothing like Earth. It is not a place where we continue to live our lives as it were on Earth. It is neither a place where the tables would turn in favour of the poor nor against the rich.
Heaven is a place where the children of God, who have done his will in their life time, would be united with him in eternal bliss, joy, peace, beauty and love. It is the final and eternal reward for all of us who have been faithful.
Death opens the door to that place of communion with God. Death is a moving to another place. It cannot be the end for those who believe in God. But many people are afraid to die. Are you? Why do some fear death?.
Some are afraid to die because death is a door to their own uncertainty. They have lived their lives like the Sadducees, disregarding the doctrine of resurrection. Since they do not know what awaits beyond the grave, they most often fear to die. I remember that before the year 2000, 31st December,was not a big deal for Christian as it is today. In the year 1999 there were a lot of predictions about the end of the year. We heard there was some kind of stone from the sky coming to hit the Earth. Many people were uneasy, uncertain and afraid. Many people went to church to spend the last days of 1999 in church, so that when the world comes to an end, God would find them in church. This shows the fear of many people regarding death and the end of the world.
Some others are afraid to die because of their attachment to the lure and delights of the world. They are not yet free of the world in order to be united with God. When they hear about death they think of the material goods they would have to leave behind.
Those of us who have God need not be afraid of death. This is because our death is just a door to another place. In fact, a better place. For us, God through Jesus Christ has conquered death, the last enemy of man. By his death and resurrection, he has swallowed up death and given us a share of eternal life. (1Cor. 15:55-58).
Until death comes, what must we do? There is a story of a monk who was sweeping the floor and was asked what he would do if he knew he was going to die. His answer was very profound and deep. He answered “I will keep sweeping the floor”. We too must ask ourselves whether we would be doing what we are doing when we know death will come to us. If the Lord is coming for you now what will he find you doing? Will whatever you are doing now be acceptable to him.
While we wait for that time that would come for all people, we must find what God wants us to do and do it. It is only by doing what God wants us to do that we can overcome the fear of death and free ourselves of the hold of this world upon our lives. It is only in this way that we are truly alive to God, the source of all life.
He is the God of the living and not of the dead. He will not allow his children to see eternal death but has life for them as their inheritance. May he guide us through the “ups and downs” of this life. Never remain down. Never give up. Strive on, God is alive.
God bless you.
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
