Daily Readings - Sun Nov 10 2019
2 Thessalonians
1Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.2And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.3But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.4We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.5May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
Luke
27Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.34Jesus replied, "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.35But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,36and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection.37But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'38He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith, the promise of resurrection, and the hope that sustains us in the face of adversity. In the first reading from 2 Maccabees, we encounter the courageous witness of seven brothers and their mother who endure brutal torture rather than betray their faith. Despite the king’s attempts to break their resolve, they remain steadfast, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life. Their martyrdom is a testament to the enduring strength of faith, even in the face of death. The second reading from 2 Thessalonians offers a message of encouragement, reminding us that God is always faithful and will strengthen us in our trials. It exhorts us to remain steadfast in our commitment to the Gospel and to trust in God’s providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus engages in a debate with the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection. He explains that life after death is not a continuation of this world but a radical transformation. Those who are raised will live in a state akin to the angels, free from the limitations of this earthly existence. Jesus grounds his teaching in Scripture, citing the encounter of Moses with God, who identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—living beings, not the dead. This underscores the truth that God is the God of the living, and the dead will rise again.
These readings are deeply connected, as they all point to the hope of eternal life and the transformative power of faith. The brothers in 2 Maccabees endure suffering because they trust in the resurrection; the Thessalonians are encouraged to remain faithful, knowing God will sustain them; and Jesus teaches that the resurrection is not merely a doctrine but a reality that reshapes our understanding of life and death. For us today, these readings call us to live with hope, even in the midst of challenges. Let us trust in God’s faithfulness, remain steadfast in our commitment to the Gospel, and remember that our ultimate destiny is not this world but eternal life with God. May we, like the brothers and their mother, face life’s trials with courage, knowing that our hope in the resurrection will one day be fulfilled.