5 June, 2024 | Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr | Environment Day

 2 Tm 1:1-3, 6-12

Gospel Mk 12:18-27



Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,

came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,

"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,

If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,

his brother must take the wife

and raise up descendants for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers.

The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.

So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,

and the third likewise.

And the seven left no descendants.

Last of all the woman also died.

At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?

For all seven had been married to her."

Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled

because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?

When they rise from the dead,

they neither marry nor are given in marriage,

but they are like the angels in heaven.

As for the dead being raised,

have you not read in the Book of Moses,

in the passage about the bush, how God told him,

I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,

and the God of Jacob?

He is not God of the dead but of the living.

You are greatly misled."


 Reflection:  

It is common to find our imaginations running wild where heaven, hell or the netherworld are concerned.  Hence the questions from the Sadducees does not seem unnatural. However, the answer from Jesus is both informative and interesting.  He attests the presence of angels in heaven.  

Taking the experience of Moses, he affirms that God is not the God of the dead but is God of the living.  There are no marriages and re-unions in heaven for those who are raised from the dead from here on earth.  Instead, they become heavenly beings and will have a different life system altogether. This is the hope that we rest on and look forward to in our passing.


Activity: 

Console those who are mourning with the hope that Jesus gives us regarding life after death.




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