Daily Readings - Wed Jun 03 2020
Mark
18Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,19Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.20Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.21And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.22And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.23In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.24And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?25For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.26And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, 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 the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
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.