Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Tob 3: 1-11a, 16-17a; Mk 12: 18-27
The Levitical law stated that if a married man dies before his wife gives him a son (lineage), his brother is to take this widow as his wife and give her a male child to continue the family lineage. In the Gospel, we have a very hypothetical instance given by the Pharisees, who do not believe in the resurrection. They presented this example to put Jesus into trouble.
The marriage on earth reflects the spousal love of God for his bride, the Church. Once we move out from this earthly life, our life will be in transition to a new and everlasting blissfulness with God where we no longer desire marriage or companionship. The earthly marriage has its meaning only in relation to the divine love of the triune God; where the Father sacrificed his Son for humanity, the Son offered his humanity led by the Spirit to the Father and Father accepted this sacrifice by raising Son from death. So, earthly marriage too is a call to lose oneself for the other.
Jesus wants to enlighten the Pharisees on this subject that to be fully with God after death is a very different thing. It is not to be equivalent to this earthly life but a transformed one governed by an abundance of love.
As people move towards the fullness of life, we believe that perfect relationship exists only in communion with the divine. We pray for the openness of heart to the revelation of God and not to be so critical like the Pharisees that can block us from growing. Let us be convinced that God is the God of the living, who wills that all experience his abundant love.