In Jesus' time, there were three main Jewish sects: Sadducees, Pharisees and Essenes. The Sadducees did not believe in any life after death. In today's Gospel, the Sadducees try to show that there is no resurrection by telling a story about a woman who had seven husbands. Yet Jesus gives an unexpected answer - heaven is not like life on earth with a few added comforts. The resurrection will be very different from our life now. We will no longer be married, but rather, totally centred on God, filled with God's love.

The first reading is also about life and death. The Seleucid King Antiochus IV had power and wealth, but now, when close to death, he is filled with anxiety. As he reflects on the reason for this, he remembers that he had attacked Jerusalem. He stole the Temple's sacred objects and ordered that ordinary people of Judah be killed. The king's past sins have caused suffering for himself.

Jesus offers us eternal life - an amazing gift. If we have sinned in the past, we are to reconcile with God. God is merciful. In this way, we are preparing for the resurrection. In heaven Jesus will be with us eternally, His love for us will have no end.