Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

32^nd Sunday of the Year, C – November 10, 2019.

Readings: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8,15; 

2 Thes 2:16-3:5; Gospel Lk 20:27-38 or Lk 20:27, 34-38.

Theme: The Lord of the Living 

Introduction

Friends in Christ, as we approach the end of the Church’s liturgical calendar, the liturgy draws our attention to dying for the Lord. In view of the four last things namely, death, judgment, heaven and hell, the readings challenge us to witness with our lives for the sake of the kingdom. In particular, today’s gospel message makes the point that before God, all people are alive. This underscores the popular saying of St. Irenaeus: “The glory of the Lord is man fully alive.”

This reflection titled: “He is God of the Living” calls the faithful to review their plan in life in line with God’s salvific plan for mankind. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasis that God created us to know him, love, serve and be happy with him in the next. This demonstrates that whether we are alive or dead, we belong to the Lord. We shall browse through the readings for appropriate pastoral lessons.      

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14) reveals the dramatic witnessing of a courageous Jewish woman and her seven sons. This moving story is one of faith, courage and heroic witness. The reading discloses how this dutiful family was devoted to the law of God and their ancestors. It also points to the resurrection heroic witnessing.

The second reading (2 Thes 2:16-3:5) reveals St. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians. Paul equally prays for the message to spread quickly and be preserved from bigoted and evil people. He assured that the Lord would guide and strengthen them from the evil one. He urged them to be emboldened in doing what is right while praying that the Lord turns their hearts towards the love of God and fortitude with Christ. 

In the gospel (Lk 20:27-38), the Sadducees did not only deny the resurrection but went ahead to set a trap for Jesus. They veiled their grievance in a question about a woman who was married to seven men by inquiring whose husband she would be at the resurrection. It is important to note that those who do not believe in life after death were asking a question about the resurrection. Expectedly, Jesus cleared their doubts when he said: "...They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord,’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive” (Lk 20:35). He goes ahead to reveal himself as the Lord of the living.   

Pastoral Application & Practical Lessons

1. Be Devoted to the Law of God: We are called to be devoted to the law of the Lord like the Jewish family in the first reading who said “It is for his laws that we are dying.” Besides, they may have been inspired by this scripture: “You shall thus observe all my statutes and all my ordinances and do the; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37).

2. Be Committed to the Law of the Church: Just as the family would rather die that eat pork and transgress the laws of their ancestors, we are challenged to observe the six laws of the Church come what may.

3. Be Convinced about the resurrection:  Christians are challenged to renew their faith in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come just as the family were convinced that God would give them life again in heaven

4. Be Courageous in Witnessing: The courage of the young man in Verse 12 which surprised the King and his attendants teaches us to be courageous in witnessing to the faith.

5. Take to Witnessing of Words:  In line with the mandate of the Great Commission which Christ entrusted to his apostles and to the Church (Matthew 28:16-20), Christians are called to participate in the verbal proclamation of the word to the world. 

6. Embrace Witnessing of Action: Among other action-oriented apostolates, we are charged to embrace the witnessing of action namely, non-verbal expression of the faith in parish, school, hospital, prison and orphanage apostolates.  

7. Practise Witnessing of Presence: Christians are encouraged to initiate witnessing of action which entails quietly going about their apostolate as priests, religious or laity while wearing our cassock, habit or sacramentals to market Christ.

8. Celebrate Red, White, Blue and Green Martyrdom: We are charged to embrace red, white, blue and green martyrdom. Red Martyrdom is the official martyrdom which involves those who are conformed to the Lord by the shedding of blood (Lumen Gentium, no, 42). We recall the heroic witnessing of Stephen, Maximillian Kolbe, Paul Miki and companions, Maria Goretti, Agnes, Lucy, Cecilia etc. White Martyrdom started with the desert fathers and confessors who left everything; withdrew to the wilderness to serve God and underwent suffering and physical persecution. While Blue Martyrdom is the ardent desire to live a life of repentance and devotion to Christ like in the case of Mary Magdalene, Green Martyrdom is associated with Irish missionaries who gave their lives to spread the gospel to various continents of the world. 

Homiletic Points to Remember

1. The first reading reveals the dramatic witnessing of a courageous Jewish woman and her seven sons.

2. In the gospel, the Sadducees did not only deny the resurrection but went ahead to set a trap for Jesus.

3. Jesus cleared their doubts when he said: "...They can no longer die, for they are like angels...”

4. “They are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise…”

5. He goes ahead to reveal himself as the Lord of the living.   

Conclusion

Inspired by the blockbuster narrative of a Jewish mother and her seven sons and these Sacred Texts, parents are called to urge their children to heroically live out the faith even in the face of threats to their jobs and lives. In an age and time where many people are afraid of declaring that they are Christians, young people are encouraged not to shy from identifying themselves as Catholics in secular institutes or organisations because of the fear of victimization or losing their jobs.

The scripture says: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26). Importantly, too Christ said: “Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell” (Matthew 10:28). May these sacred texts embolden us to live out our faith to the end. Amen!