WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION

 Saturday 33rd week in Ordinary Time Year A, 21st November, 2020. The Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Readings: Rev.11:4-12 , Ps.114, Luke:20:27-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WE ARE CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION

Oftentimes when we talk about the teaching on resurrection people always want to know what and how is going to be like. We often get this teacher wrong because we are using our little knowledge of the things of this passing world to judge the heavenly things. This is the disposition of the Sadducees in our Gospel passage today, for since they do not believe in the resurrection, they decided to challenge Jesus concerning the notion about resurrection using the analogy of marital union in relation to afterlife in order to discredit the teachings of Jesus. 

As usual, Jesus goes on to explain how people will relate to each other in the afterlife. That those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. He then challenged the Sadducees’ unbelief about life after death. 

He reminded them of the scene where the voice from the burning bush identifies itself to Moses. “I AM the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3:6). For He is the God of the living and not of the dead. After this reply of Jesus to both the Pharisees and the Sadducees, they no longer dared to ask him any questions.

Dear friends, we believe in the resurrection not so much because of Jesus’ arguments here, but because of his own resurrection of which he promise to share his life and joy with us forever. Jesus tells us that we are children of the resurrection and children of God who neither married nor given in marriage in the heavenly kingdom. Thus, it is natural for us to ask questions about resurrection of life, but we should not expect to understand it fully while we are still alive. All that matters is our relationship with our God and neighbour for what we shall be after death is known by God alone.

Therefore, as we celebrate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary today, that great moment when St. Joachim and St. Anne offered their firstborn child to the Lord at the Temple of God as prescribed by the Law. On this day we rejoice and celebrate the faith of Mary, the one who became the Mother of God and Jesus the Saviour of the world who through his death and resurrection has made us children of the resurrection. Thereby calling us to embrace his teaching. Let us all be inspired by the examples Mary who the Lord has set before us, that we shall also be righteous, virtuous and great in faith as she has shown us in life time.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we look forward to the resurrection of mankind. May we be inspired by the great example of our Mother Mary, whose faith was so strong in the teaching of her Son. Through her intercessions may we obtain the joy of the risen Lord. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful weekend.