33rd Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 21st November 2020 — Gospel: Lk 20,27-40
New Bond of Relationship
Jesus responds to the question asked by those plotting his death to speak of the life in heaven. Jesus shows that heavenly existence will be totally different than earthly existence. He makes it very clear that the bonds of marriage and law have no place in the kingdom of heaven. There is a new bond which unites people – being one with God, and therefore co-children of God, and brothers and sisters of Jesus. Life in the age to come may be compared to the life of angels, who do not marry, have children, or die. Jesus emphasizes that in the kingdom, the risen ones will have a relationship with the God of the living. In reference to the Scripture, Jesus points out that God lives in a personal and continuing relationship with Israel’s ancestors, even though they died centuries before God made his revelation to Moses (Ex 3,6). A relationship with God, built on covenant and promise, does not end with this life, but continues and reaches its fulfilment in the next. The risen life is not only different from the present life, but it is a much greater kind of existence. Jesus has silenced all his opponents with the truth of his instructions. Therefore, those Jews who believe in eternal life and resurrection of the dead are pleased with Jesus’ answer and compliment his understanding and explanation.
