[ Today's Readings ]
Our bodies are destined rise again. But it will not be business as usual.
“The children of this age marry and remarry;
but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age
and to the resurrection of the dead
neither marry nor are given in marriage.
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.
We are not raised only to resume the life we have. We are raised like angels who are unable to die. We are God's children even now. When we are raised this reality finally manifests completely. All of our family characteristics are fully developed. We love and have life as does the Father himself. When we are raised we finally share in this divine life completely. We no longer need images like marriage to help us to understand the true union of love for which all of us are made. At the resurrection we finally live that union perfectly.
It is this knowledge that lets us endure temporary hardships and misfortunes. We see who a genuine marriage can weather any storm and we learn about the amazing union that awaits us at the resurrection. No matter what comes our way there is a stronger love to which we can cling. Even if it comes down to martyrdom we can endure it because our ultimate hope is not in this world only but in the resurrection.
“It is my choice to die at the hands of men
with the hope God gives of being raised up by him;
but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.”
We see that no configuration of circumstance will bring us the joy for which we truly long. Instead our joy will only be full when the glory of the LORD appears to us. This is the good hope we have through the grace of Jesus Christ. This morning he wants to encourage our hearts with this hope and to strengthen them in every good deed and word. He will guard us from the evil one, give us his own endurance, and bring us safely home, if we trust him.
Keep me as the apple of your eye,
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking I shall be content in your presence.
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