In today's Gospel reading, we see how Jesus responded to the Sadducees' challenges by firstly comparing the resurrection life to that of the angels whose life is in close communion with God. It is not a transfer of earthly relationship such as of married life but one of intimacy with God. Therefore resurrection is a totally new existence of the whole human person. So the idea of 'possessing' another person is not resurrection but to be possessed by God in the mystery of the resurrection.

Secondly, Jesus uses the part of the Scriptures which the Sadducees uphold (Torah) by quoting what God promised to the fore-fathers of Israel in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Since God is not God of the dead but of the living (Mk. 12:27); God cannot have covenantal relationship with the dead. This actually indicates that what the Sadducees believe reflects themselves as witnesses to the resurrection of the dead.

This is what St Paul stated in the Letter to Timothy, 'Jesus abolished death and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.' And Paul was its herald, apostle and teacher. It is this that allows him to endure hardship because of his complete trust in God's love for him.