Faith in the Resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian theology,

affirming that Jesus Christ defeated death.

It validates His identity, ensures the forgiveness of sins,

and serves as the absolute foundation for the hope of eternal life.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12

From Paul,

Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, for the sake of his promise of eternal life,

in Christ Jesus, to my dear son Timothy, may grace, mercy and peace be with you,

from God, the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord. I give thanks to God,

whom I serve with a clear conscience, the way my ancestors did,

as I remember you constantly, day and night, in my prayers.

 

For this reason, I invite you to fan into a flame the gift of God you received through the laying on of my hands.

For God did not confer on us a spirit of fearfulness, but of strength, love and good judgment.

Do not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord, nor of seeing me in chains.

On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the gospel, with the strength of God.

He saved us and called us – a calling which proceeds from his holiness.

This did not depend on our merits, but on his generosity and his own initiative.

 

This calling, given to us from all time, in Christ Jesus has just been manifested

with the glorious appearance of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who destroyed death,

and brought life and immortality to light, in his gospel. Of this message,

I was made herald, apostle and teacher. For its sake, I now suffer this trial,

but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced

that he is capable of taking care of all I have entrusted to him, until that day.

 

Ps 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef

To you, O Lord, I lift up my eyes,

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Mark 12:18-27

The Sadducees also came to Jesus. Since they claim that there is no resurrection,

they questioned him in this way, "Master, in the Scriptures Moses gave us this law:

If anyone dies and leaves a wife but no children, his brother must take the woman,

and, with her, have a baby, who will be considered the child of his deceased brother.

Now, there were seven brothers. The first married a wife, but he died without leaving any children.

The second took the wife, and he also died, leaving no children.

The same thing happened to the third. In fact, all seven brothers died, leaving no children.

 

Last of all, the woman died. Now, in the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife?

For all seven brothers had her as a wife." Jesus replied, "Is this not the reason you are mistaken,

that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? When they rise from the dead,

men and women do not marry, but are like the angels in heaven. Now, about the resurrection of the dead,

have you never had thoughts about the burning bush in the book of Moses?

God said to Moses: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.

He is God, not of the dead, but of the living. You are totally wrong."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Everyone who believes in God is alive.

The gospel discussion focuses on faith in the Resurrection.

Jesus's timely response to the Sadducees demonstrates that there is indeed a resurrection of the dead,

which He supports with Scripture passages. His biblical citation is both appropriate and insightful:

if God appears to Moses as the God of the fathers, who were already long deceased,

it indicates that they are still alive in God's presence. Everyone who believes in God is alive.

In God's family, all exist as brothers and sisters.

 

We all believe in the resurrection of the dead, as we proudly profess every Sunday.

We believe in the living God. But what does that faith signify?

To believe in the resurrection of the dead is not merely to think that we shall all rise again after our death

but to believe that God is alive and active in our lives, even when we cannot perceive Him

and His actions. We may not find answers to all our questions and struggle to understand everything

that happens in our lives and the world, but God knows because He is present.

Hold on to that faith and face life's challenges confidently.