Theme: Jesus answers a question from some Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead.

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education

Theme: Luke 20:27-38 Jesus answers a question from some Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead.

Summary: In this Gospel passage from Saint Luke we see the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, asking Jesus a question about something they don’t believe in. Jesus is always willing to answer a valid question, but he sees this group for who they are and answers the Sadducees in manner that defies their disbelief. He recalls for them that God is an enduring God, by stating that in God’s encounter with Moses, God refers to Himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, a God of the living and not of the dead. God endures.

Scripture: "And they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection." Luke 20:36
 
In Jesus' day there were people that liked to argue and discuss difficult religious questions. One such group was the Sadducees — religious leaders who did not believe in the resurrection. One day a group of Sadducees came to Jesus and asked him a question in an attempt to trick him into agreeing with them that there was no resurrection. They asked him to answer this question: "The law of Moses says that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name. Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. Then the third brother married her. This continued until all seven brothers had married the same woman. Finally, the woman also died. So tell us, whose wife will she be after the resurrection since all seven were married to her!"
Jesus answered, "Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those who are raised from the dead will not marry or be married. Not only that, but they will never die again. They will live forever as the children of God."
Jesus went on to say, "Even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' He is not the God of the dead, he is the God of the living."
After Jesus answered them so wisely, no one else dared to ask him any questions.
Dear Father, we are happy today that there is a resurrection and you have promised us eternal life in heaven. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): Younger children may begin to have questions and fears about what happens when we die. Our faith reassures us of eternal life with God.  
 
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): Our appreciation for the eternal is often limited by our experiences. This is something that children learn as they mature. In today's Gospel, Jesus applies this thought to some people's conceptions about life after death.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): Young people have vivid imaginations. In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus challenges us to broaden our minds and use our imaginations to consider life beyond this earthly life.
 
My Promise to Jesus: This week I will pray to my guardian angel, who lives in heaven with God and watches over me.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life.  What makes it tough for you to keep your mind open when you disagree with someone?
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
The Children’s Book of Heroes
Written by Michael Haus
ISBN: 13:978-0684834450

Pray that you will always allow endurance and strength of mind body, and spirit to be an aim of living your life with God and with others. Pray that God will give you the endurance you need to thrive in your relationships.
Family Discussion: Children in our culture often know very little about death, dying, and eternal life. Take this opportunity to talk with your children about their thoughts, beliefs, maybe even their fears, about death and dying.
In the Gospel this week, Jesus tells us that after we die, we will not need the same things we did when we were alive, but we will continue to have a relationship with God. You could use the example of a tree to help your children understand what Jesus tells us. When a tree is alive it needs water, soil, and sunlight. When the tree is used to make a table, a toy, or something else it has a new purpose. The tree no longer needs water, soil, or sunlight. Read together the short form of the Gospel, Luke 20:27, 34-38. Tell your children about your hope and faith in the resurrection of the body and eternal life with God. Pray together for those in your family who have died and conclude by praying today's Psalm.