Gospel Meditation

“Some Saducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus …” In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Saducees avoid their real question. Is there a resurrection from the dead or not? Rather than ask this question point blank, the Saducees try to prove their point through a roundabout, unrealistic scenario. Jesus cuts straight to the question behind the question, citing Scripture passages relating to the resurrection.

The Saducees are trying to trick Jesus. While we may not intend to stump God, our doubts and questions may have more in common with the Saducees than we care to admit. Doubts are part and parcel of life in a fallen world. Still, there are different ways we can word our doubts to ourselves, God, and others. When we’re struggling, truly struggling, about some article of faith, do we admit it? Or do we cloak it with other, obtuse questions to hide the nature of our concern?

Have you considered leaving the Church over the hypocrisy of some of her members and leaders? Perhaps the real question is: “How can a place blessed by God and instituted by Christ have this evil in it? Can I reconcile with the concept that an institution has an admixture of good and bad? What do I expect from others, from myself? What responsibility do I have to try and remedy evil in an institution I’m part of?” Perhaps you’ve wondered about the nature of romantic love, and if God is love, does He really care so much about the details of this particular scenario? Perhaps the real question is: “Can my mind wrap around the concept of a God whose law seems — on the surface, in this situation — to make people unhappy? What is the relationship between the moral law and human flourishing?” These aren’t easy questions, but they are more honest ones. This week, don’t be afraid of your deeper questions! Bring them to God, to someone you trust, and to yourself.

©LPi