Daily Readings - Sat Nov 25 2023
Luke
27Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,28Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.32Last of all the woman died also.33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.34And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.38For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.39Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.40And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that, when considered together, offer profound insights into the nature of faith, mortality, and the divine. The first reading from 1 Maccabees presents King Antiochus, who, having suffered defeat and grief, begins to recognize the errors of his ways. His sorrow leads him to reflect on the injustices he perpetrated, particularly against the people of Jerusalem. This narrative highlights the human capacity for repentance and the consequences of one's actions, even for those in power.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to a theological debate about the resurrection. The Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, pose a complex question to Jesus regarding marriage in the afterlife. Jesus responds by transcending the earthly bounds of marriage, explaining that in the age to come, we will be like angels, free from death's grasp. He underscores the reality of the resurrection by invoking Moses and the burning bush, where God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are alive in His presence.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own mortality and the hope of eternal life. King Antiochus's story reminds us that even in the midst of sorrow and defeat, there is an opportunity for repentance and a return to God. Jesus's teaching challenges us to look beyond the limitations of this world and to trust in God's promise of resurrection. As we navigate the challenges of our daily lives, let us hold fast to the hope that our true home is with God, where sorrow and death will no longer have dominion. May we live in such a way that our hearts are aligned with God's will, and may we always remember that we are children of the resurrection, destined for eternal life with Him.