Daily Readings - Sun Nov 06 2022
2 Thessalonians
1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.4And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Luke
27There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,34And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage,35but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage,36for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.37But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.38Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful reflections on faith, hope, and the promise of eternal life. The first reading from 2 Maccabees narrates the courageous story of seven brothers and their mother who endure brutal torture rather than betray their faith. Their unwavering belief in the resurrection gives them the strength to face death, trusting that God will raise them to eternal life. This story highlights the profound trust in God's promise even in the face of extreme adversity.
The second reading from 2 Thessalonians offers a prayer for strength and perseverance, encouraging the community to remain faithful despite challenges. It reminds us that while not everyone may remain faithful, God is always faithful, providing the strength needed to live according to His will. This reading complements the first by emphasizing the importance of steadfastness in faith, a theme that is central to both.
In the Gospel, Jesus engages with the Sadducees, who question the concept of resurrection. Jesus explains that life after resurrection is beyond earthly bonds like marriage, resembling the angels and being children of God. He affirms that God is the God of the living, not the dead, reinforcing the reality of eternal life. This teaching ties together the themes of resurrection and trust in God's plan.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own faith and hope. In our daily lives, we face various trials, but the promise of resurrection reminds us that our struggles are temporary. We are called to trust in God's eternal plan, just as the Maccabean brothers did, and to remain steadfast in our faith, as encouraged by Paul. Let us hold onto this hope, knowing that our true home is with God, where we will live in eternal joy and peace.