Daily Readings - Wed Jun 03 2020
Mark
18And the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, approached him. And they questioned him, saying19"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if any man’s brother will have died and left behind a wife, and not have left behind sons, his brother should take his wife to himself and should raise up offspring for his brother20So then, there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and he died without leaving behind offspring21And the second took her, and he died. And neither did he leave behind offspring. And the third acted similarly22And in like manner, each of the seven received her and did not leave behind offspring. Last of all, the woman also died23Therefore, in the resurrection, when they will rise again, to which of them will she be a wife? For each of the seven had her as wife.24And Jesus responded by saying to them: "But have you not gone astray, by knowing neither the scriptures, nor the power of God25For when they will be resurrected from the dead, they shall neither marry, nor be given in marriage, but they are like the Angels in heaven26But concerning the dead who rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, how God spoke to him from the bush, saying: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Therefore, you have gone far astray.
Sermon
In today’s Gospel, we encounter a dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees, who present a complex scenario to challenge His understanding of resurrection. They describe a situation where seven brothers marry the same woman, each dying without children, and ask whose wife she would be in the resurrection. This question, rooted in their disbelief in the afterlife, seeks to undermine Jesus' teachings. Jesus responds by clarifying that in the resurrection, earthly marriage customs no longer apply, as the resurrected live like angels, free from earthly bonds. He emphasizes that God is the God of the living, not the dead, referencing Moses’ encounter with the burning bush to underscore the eternal nature of life with God.
The Sadducees’ question stems from their rejection of the resurrection, using a legal scenario from the Torah to frame their challenge. Jesus, however, shifts the focus from legalities to the nature of God and eternal life. This exchange highlights the Sadducees’ misunderstanding of both Scripture and God’s power, as they fail to grasp the transcendence of resurrection beyond earthly concerns.
In our daily lives, this teaching invites us to reflect on our priorities and values. It encourages us to look beyond temporary earthly concerns and focus on nurturing our relationship with God. Our true identity and relationships are rooted in eternity, urging us to trust in God’s power and promises. This passage calls us to live with hope and faith, knowing our ultimate fulfillment lies in eternal life with God, where our true selves flourish beyond the limitations of this world.