Lk.20:27-38
“It is not Death that will come to fetch me, it is the good God. Death is no phantom, no horrible specter, as presented in pictures. In the catechism it is stated, that death is the separation of soul and body, that is all! Well, I am not afraid of a separation which will unite me to the good God forever.” (St Thérèse of the Child Jesus)
In today’s gospel, we see the encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees. Sadducees are the people who did not believe in life after death or in the resurrection of the body. They wanted Jesus to acknowledge the same because they might have heard about Jesus’ teaching on eternal life. As per the Levirate law, if a man dies without leaving children, his brother is responsible for marrying his brother’s wife and producing descendants for his brother. They pose a tricky question based on the Levirate law in order to substantiate their argument that Moses did not affirm life after death. Their question was framed like this: “Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally, the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.” (Lk.20:29-33)
If we analyse the various answers that Jesus could have possibly given, we realize that it was not that easy to answer this genius question. If Jesus says she would remain as the wife of her first brother, then what about others? They, too, had equal rights. If Jesus says something contrary to eternal life, it would be affirming their stand that there is no resurrection of the dead.
Jesus makes himself clear and affirms that death is not the dead end of our sojourn; there is life after death. However, the eternal style of life will not be the same as our earthly existence. First and foremost, there will not be a continuation of progeny in eternal life. Therefore, the Levirate Law is not applicable there. All those who inherit this eternal life will be like angels, which means the only priority in their lives is God. They are fully freed of their bodily needs and prefer intimacy with God over anything else. That does not mean that there will be no role for human relationships. We will not completely cut down on our communion with dear and near ones. Certainly we will be in touch with them through our prayers and their heavenly intercession on our behalf.
As an answer to the Sadducees, Jesus quoted the example of Moses, who had the God experience near the burning bush. The Lord revealed to Moses, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Ex. 3:6) This statement of Jesus affirms that though these patriarchs were dead, they are alive with the Lord. Therefore, He is not the Lord of the Dead but the Lord of the Living, all those who share his eternal life. Jesus teaches us that life here on earth is a passing state. The real life is life after life. Jesus awaits all of us to be in his presence forever. As we continue our faith journey, let us deepen and grow into awareness that we are pilgrims here on earth, travelling towards our eternally promised land. May the good Lord deepen our faith so that by believing in Jesus we may begin to live our eternal life, the foretaste of eternal life here on earth.