Readings: 2 Tim. 1:1-3,6-12; Ps.123; Mark 12: 18-27

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHAT IS YOUR DISPOSITION TOWARDS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION

The question about what becomes of the human person after death has been a contextual topic in every human generation and this has not changed in our generation. However, the answer to this question has been given to us by Jesus on the occasion of our Gospel passage today when the Sadducees, one of the most powerful and influential groups within the Jewish community at the time of Jesus came to ask him questions about this issue.

They are made up of secular and powerful societal elites who were mostly irreligious and worldly in their attitudes. They rejected the spiritual aspects of the Jewish customs and teachings, refusing to believe in the presence of Angels and the Spirit, as well as the concept of the afterlife. They rejected the notion of resurrection and life after death.

To them, this life on earth is the only life they have and are living through, for no other things matter more than to enjoy the world as it is, and thus, they tend to live an extravagant lifestyle and selfish attitudes. So they came up to Jesus with a trick question concerning the notion of resurrection using example of seven brothers who shared a woman as their wife and died without a child, for according to the Jewish laws and customs, when a man died without having any descendant to continue his name and lineage, it was his brother’s responsibility and obligation to take the widow of the deceased man to be his wife, and the firstborn child of the union would be considered as the child of the deceased brother.

Thus they asked Jesus, who’s wife will she be at the resurrection? Here, Jesus rebuked them for their ignorance of the scriptures and the power of God. Then he goes on to explain how people will relate to each other in the afterlife. For after death and resurrection, men and women do not marry, for they will be like the angels in heaven. He reminds them of the scene where the voice from the burning bush identifies itself to Moses. “I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). He is the God of the living and not of the dead. After this reply from Jesus, they no longer dared to ask him any questions, because, he had given a mind-blowing answer to their ignorance and unbelief.

Dear friends, it is natural for us to ask questions about the resurrection of life, but we should not expect to understand it fully while we are still alive. But we have to believe in the resurrection not so much because Jesus argued with the Sadducees, but because of his own resurrection and his promise to share his life with us forever. Jesus tells and shows us that we are children of the resurrection and children of God who neither marries nor given in marriage in the heavenly kingdom. For all that matters is our relationship with our God and neighbour, as for what we shall be after death is known by God alone.

Therefore, as Christians, we are challenged to overcome our excessive attachments to the world and to be closer to God and to allow Him to guide us in our path. Little wonder, St. Paul in our first reading today, reminds and encourages us not to worry about worldly trials sufferings and persecutions. Instead, let us focus our attention on the assurance of the life and joy that we will have in the kingdom of God.

Thus, let us be encouraged by the lives of St. Boniface whose memorial we celebrate today. He was a renowned bishop and Martyr of the Church, who is remembered for his many works of mission among the pagan peoples living in Germania, what is now known as modern-day Germany, where in the early days of the Church, he established the foundation of Christian faith and there he suffered martyrdom in the hands of the pagans. We also are called to remain faithful in our faith, even in the midst of all the difficulties and challenges of life.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, many things challenge our faith every day, grant that through the intercession of St. Boniface, we may remain steadfast in faith and charity, even in the face of trials and persecutions through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.