THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
Introduction: Today's liturgy invites us to reflect on our life after death and its implications. The month of November is specially dedicated to all the faithful departed. The Church urges us to pray for them. All of us are anxious to know what happens to us in our next life. Today's readings give some glimpse to some of those questions regarding our life after death. First reading from the book of Maccabees, narrates the story of a Jewish mother and her seven sons who accepted martyrdom rather than violate the Lord God's commandments. In the second reading, Apostle Paul prays for God's grace so that Christians in Thessalonica may remain steadfast in faith and receive eternal reward. In the Gospel Jesus rebukes the Sadducees who questioned Him about the resurrection of the dead. He tells them that God is not a God of the dead but of the living.
First Reading: 2Maccabees 7: 1 to 2 and 9 to 14
Second Reading: 2Thessalonians 2: 6 to 3: 5
Gospel Reading: Luke 20: 27 to 38
*First reading is from the second book of Maccabees. It gives an assurance that our faith in the Lord God dispels all fears in us. We become strong and courageous: Even ready to die for Him, only to be raised to an everlasting life with the Lord God. The readiness of the seven Jewish brothers and their mother, to die rather than violate one the laws of the Lord God is a source of great inspiration for everyone who has faith in eternal life.
*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians. Paul prays for God's grace so that the Christians in Thessalonica (we too) may be able to remain steadfast in faith. God is the ultimate source of all comfort and strength in our lives. We who follow Jesus, will do well in living and proclaiming His Word, when we are united with the Lord in faith.
Life after death Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. We have a very enlightening and comprehensive discussion between Jesus and the Sadducees regarding the resurrection of the dead. For them, the consequences of life after death are rather ridiculous and meaningless. Some questions like: Where would one accommodate in the next world, all those tens of thousands of people, who die daily? How could anyone rectify all those messed up human relationships which take place in this life? So, they cleverly craft this question about a poor widow who is married to seven brothers (one after another, according to the Mosaic law) and finally she too dies without bearing children from any of those marriages. The question is: At resurrection, whose wife will she be (since all the seven brothers were married to her)? Jesus simply and decisively overlooks their silly question and tells them that their understanding of the resurrection of the dead is totally absurd. He mentions about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses: All of them command great respect and reverence in the Jewish community. These men of God did not die for nothing. God is not a God of the dead but of the living. Hence, Jesus unequivocally affirms the resurrection of the dead. During this month of November, we specially remember our dear departed and pray for them because we believe that there is life after death. 1Corinthians 15:42 says: " What is sown is perishable but what is raised is imperishable." It is the same with the resurrection of the dead. In this context Victor Hugo says: "Dawn and resurrection are synonymous. The reappearance of light is the same as the survival of the soul." St. Augustine says: "I don't care to inquire why they cannot believe that an earthly body can be in heaven. while the whole earth is suspended on nothing." An unknown writer says: "Who would believe that the caterpillar becomes a butterfly unless he has seen it? If we can accept that how can we deny that death can be transformed into life."
Conclusion: Our belief in an after life should spur us on to live a better and more meaningful life here on earth. Let us not forget that we do not make the pilgrimage to the promised land of eternal life all alone. We make it with others: With the members of God's people. With faith in the words of Jesus, let us go forward together in joyful hope. As someone said: "Sunset is a promise of the dawn to come." Let us not be afraid of the darkness after sunset but walk towards that dawn of eternal life.
May the Lord Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, bless you with a faith that leads to the risen life in the Lord. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, November 9, 2025." Thanks.)
