Fr Paul reads from Mark’s Gospel (12: 18-27) in which Jesus is questioned by the Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead.

The Sadducees were the aristocracy of Jerusalem.  These Sadducees are using their question in an attempt to show that the resurrection from the dead cannot make sense, that it is absurd.

Using the book of Moses, Jesus reminds them of the name of God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’. Using this text, Jesus argues that if God remains their God, the dead must be alive.  The Gospel concludes with Jesus saying that the Sadducees are very much mistaken for not believing in the resurrection.

Like yesterday, today, and in the days ahead, we are hearing of these controversies between Jesus and the authorities of the time.

For our reflection today, Fr Paul suggests that we pause for a moment and think of this Gospel… what speaks to us, what stands out for us… and take that to prayer.