The first reading today is directed at me as a priest; the second reading is directed at all of us as candidates for resurrected eternal life.
In the first reading St. Paul writes to his beloved friend Timothy whom he ordained to the priesthood by the imposition of hands – telling him to stir into flame the gift of God that he has received by this imposition! This stirring into flame means knowing and believing that the gift of the Holy Spirit received is not of cowardice but of power and love and self-control.
The ministers of God must be courageous in doing their work; generous and faithful to the Gospel message they carry and to which they themselves adhere, for it is a message concerning the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light! Suffering for the sake of the gospel is always the honorable and necessary thing to do – not being ashamed of it, confidently proclaiming it by word and deed!
I invite the Holy Spirit to stir into flame more deeply in my own life the qualifications that I need to be a good priest – who remembers the day when hands were imposed on my head.
In the gospel passage we see Jesus reminding us of the full range of the effects of belief in the gospel message. It is a belief that can accompany us throughout our lives here on earth – but then, most assuredly into a newer and different kind of life – eternally, in heaven.
Jesus is engaged in a discussion with the Sadducees who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. The question they pose to Jesus is to trip him up. They are asking him to prove from Scripture that there is a resurrection (from the Pentateuch – their original Bible). The story of the seven husbands is actually a perfect setup not for their case but for Jesus' correct answer!
The life of heaven is of a different sort than that of earth. It is not simply a continuation for the same thing. It is first a complete transformation of the first – with then an eternal dimension that is simply a part of the newness! Therefore, earthly standards do not apply in heaven – as such. There is no marriage in heaven! The woman will have no husband! And all will be there – and all will be alive. For when God creates life – it is forever!
The Sadducees want Jesus to admit that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are dead! But Jesus does not do that! In explaining the nature of death and resurrection he tells them that God is the God of the living and not the dead! Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still alive! They are enjoying eternal life in the new way that will soon be available to everyone!
That same newness of life – that same difference in perspective is for us too! What we await is the fulfillment and completion of the whole process of transformation that was inaugurated by the Incarnation of the Word of God: Jesus arrival on earth! It will be brought to a grand commencement on the Last Day – which could be any day!
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will never die! May we, with our faith and our belief, be ready this and every day for that Great Day.
Amen!
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