💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 25 💖

First Reading - 1 Maccabees 6:1-13

Gospel - Luke 20:27-40

At times, some people think that they are the controller of things. This mistaken understanding puffs them up but the realization of this misconception becomes visible with the encounter of their inability to change and control many aspects of their lives. At this moment, the realization comes that they need to certainly rely on God. The readings of today invite us to live our lives with a great hope of resurrection relying on God's promise and grace.

The first reading throws light on the deflated pride of Antiochus who at first took pride of his strength and power but his defeat by Jews humbled him to accept God's strength working on behalf of Israel. The defeat of Antiochus reminded him that his pride and wickedness done to Israel have incurred misfortune in his life. He, in a way, realizes that the power of God stands tall against him. Consequently he is filled with reverential fear towards the God of Jews and acknowledges his own limitations. 

Jesus reached Jerusalem for His final Passover feast. As part of a well-planned plot to trap Jesus, the chief priests, the scribes and the Pharisees met Jesus with controversial questions. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection of the dead because they claimed that Moses wrote nothing about it. If Jesus defended the concept of the resurrection, the Sadducees would be angered; if Jesus failed to do so, the Pharisees would be enraged. In either case, one group would be alienated. Hence, in their hypothetical question, they asked Jesus who, in Heaven, would be the husband of the woman who had been married (levirate marriage) in succession to seven of her brothers–in-law (levires), and had died childless.

Jesus begins the counterargument by pointing out the ignorance of the Sadducees about the existence and nature of life after death with God. Then Jesus provides positive Biblical proof for the reality of resurrected existence. Jesus is presuming that Yahweh’s burning bush statement demonstrates that these three patriarchs were still alive at the time of Moses, 600 years after their deaths. Since God declared Himself to be God of the patriarchs, He must somehow still be sustaining the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, thus granting them resurrection and eternal life. Thus, Jesus uses the Sadducees’ sacred text of the Torah to refute their anti-resurrection belief. Second, Jesus explains that the afterlife will not be just an eternal replay of this life. Things will be different after death. Normal human relationships, including marriage, will be transformed. Then Jesus tells the Sadducees that those to whom God has granted resurrection and Heavenly life with Him will be immortal, like the angels, and hence “children of God.”

Dear friends, we need to live the lives of Resurrection people. That is, we are not to lie buried in the tomb of our sins and evil habits. Instead, we are to live joyful and peaceful lives, constantly experiencing the Real Presence of the Risen Lord Who gives us the assurance that our bodies also will be raised.

The salutary thought of our own resurrection and eternal glory should also inspire us to honor our bodies, keeping them holy, pure and free from evil habits and to respect those with whom we come in contact, rendering them loving and humble service.

The first reading also tells us that we should always realise that our pride can do no good but our humility before God can give us grace to live the life of resurrection in hope. God gives us promise of a new life in him.