6/7/2023 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reading: Mark 12:18-27

18 Then some Sadducees, who say that people will not rise from death, came to Jesus and said,
19 “Teacher, Moses wrote this law for us: ‘If a man dies and leaves a wife but no children, that man’s brother must marry the widow so that they can have children who will be considered the dead man’s children.’
20 Once there were seven brothers; the eldest got married and died without having children.
21 Then the second one married the woman, and he also died without having children. The same thing happened to the third brother,
22 and then to the rest: all seven brothers married the woman and died without having children. Last of all, the woman died.
23 At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.”
24 Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
25 When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.
26 Now, as for the dead being raised: haven’t you ever read in the Book of Moses the passage about the burning bush? There it is written that God said to Moses, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’
27 He is the God of the living, not of the dead. You are completely wrong!”

6/7/2023 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reflection: Mark 12:18-27

The question on the resurrection of the dead is not something that can be answered with precise description. Yet it must be taken seriously and not trivialized in any manner. It is because the resurrection of the dead is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching. He Himself has been resurrected and He is now sitting at the right hand of God the Father.

And so we look forward to own resurrection after the end of our temporary visit on earth. It should be our foremost goal – to be with Jesus in the mansion He has prepared for us. Yet it doesn’t mean we neglect our daily activities in the present. Our resurrection must be our inspiration to do the best we can in the here and now. That includes marriage and family life. Let us make our relationships at the moment as enjoyable as it can be for the glory of God. That is why there is absolutely no need to be too concerned of what kind of relationship we will have in the next life.

Indeed, the vision of eternal life may not be clear to us today but it doesn’t need to be. Saint Paul tells us that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9). However, our faith in the resurrection of the dead is enough for us to live in joy and hope that our problems in life will soon end and that a mansion in heaven is being prepared for us (John 14:2-3).

Go here to read related reflection on the same gospel story.