Word to the Wise
Saturday, November 24, 2007 - St. Andrew Dung-lac and Companions - marftyrs
[1 Macabees 6:1-13 and Luke 20:27-40]The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.
In so many ways relationships to other people govern our lives no matter what the context may be. From the most mundane level, such as political contacts or business contacts, to the most intimate: spouses, child/parent, siblings, best friends, we draw meaning and strength for each day from loving and being loved. Occasionally even a negative relationship can shape a life as happens in long standing grudges! Concern for cherished relationships may lead us to hope that a particular relationship will continue beyond the experience of death. But Jesus tells us in the incident in today's gospel that death changes the reality so that marriage and other relationships become irrelevant. They are meant for the present life and are crucial to it, but after death only one relationship will matter - the one with God! The Sadduccees did not believe that such a relationship could exist since they did not believe in a resurrection. We do! If we wish the best for our most beloved friends and relatives, we should wish them the grace-filled hope of friendship with God. That hope is expressed in the way we relate to others. Relationships here on earth can determine relationship with God in eternity. It is better to love well and in a holy manner. The difference is a matter of death and life. AMEN
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