11 Nov
Sun 		32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
2 Mac. 7:1-2, 9-14
Ps. 16:1, 5-6, 8, 15
2 Thes. 2:16-3:5
Lk. 20:27-38
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The Old Testament teaching on 'life after death' is not clearly stated until later in the Book of Daniel (12:2) and 2 Maccabees (2 Mac. 7:9 ff). So the Sadducees, unlike the Pharisees did not accept this belief. So their question in today's Gospel reading was intended to trap Jesus. However Jesus' answer clearly stated that marriage is a matter that belongs to the present age whereas in the resurrected life, human relationships are raised to a totally new level as they refer to another age. So in this state, human beings are like angels and relationships are of brothers and sisters.

Morever, we know that our earthly covenantal relationship with God continues even after death. Hence, the declaration that "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob" proves that there is life after death for Abraham and his descendants. By this Jesus shows the scriptural foundation for the faith that "the dead are raised" and they are alive in God (Lk. 20:37-38).

The defence of such a belief is clearly revealed in the martyrdom we see in 2 Maccabees by the seven brothers and their mother who professed their faith in the face of death. Such faith was possible as they knew that the love of God could comfort and strengthen them in everything good that they did and likewise protect them and guard them from the evil one.


Lord, may our hearts always turn towards Your love and the fortitude of Jesus Christ.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That holy and exemplary men and women may be our companions in proclaiming boldly the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That holy and exemplary men and women may be our companions in proclaiming boldly the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

"They began to proclaim the word of God boldly" (Acts 4:31). The word "boldly" can also be translated as "audaciously" or with "forthrightness" in announcing the Christian message. The ideal agents of evangelisation should be "holy and exemplary persons". Though God could have spread His Kingdom without human collaboration, He has always sought human partners, who as suitable and free instruments, work for the salvation of humankind.

The laity can evangelise chiefly through prayer, the testimony of life and the establishment of a temporal order inspired by the Gospel. Though preaching the Gospel is the competence and principal duty of those who have been ordained, lay people, who have the necessary theological training, can preach.

Vatican II stresses the need for priests to be holy preachers. God ordinarily prefers to show his wonders through those men who are more submissive to the impulse and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Because of their intimate union with Christ and their holiness of life, they are able to say with St Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). Let us therefore pray that all those who devote themselves directly to evangelisation may live a holy life that emphasises the credibility of the Christian message.



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