We Believe in the Resurrection of the Dead

Thirty Second Ordinary Sunday, Year C
Theme: We Believe in the Resurrection of the Dead

During this Month of All Souls, it feels like rubbing salt to festering wounds to see a UST undergraduate fall to his death in suspicious circumstances. But we have to remind ourselves that whatever the causes of his fall, we should keep our faith in the righteousness, viz. the salvation of our Lord. Life must go on despite the possibility that the cause would remain a mystery until the Last Judgment. "Love is patient" (1 Corinthians 13:4). These days, patience is in short supply because love is lacking. The less love we have, the greater the danger of straying away from God we shall be exposed to. Be consoled that the soul of this UST undergraduate is praying for our needs before God at the moment.

Like the Sadducees in the gospel passage today, we like to play God. We take things into our own hand and try to impose our mould of actions upon God. The Sadducees denied resurrection for reasons we no longer know. The way we see it, denial of resurrection entails a serious consequence, viz. God has no power over death. Then, our very foundation of faith shall be shaken to the ground. "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins ... If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all." (15:17, 19) Therefore, defending the belief in resurrection is of utmost importance. But what evidence do we have?

The three resurrection stories of the gospels (viz. Jairus' daughter, the only son of Nain widow and Jesus' friend Lazarus), the empty tomb and even the Shroud of Turin are not forensic proofs convincing enough. No. God does not want these. God wants to give living proofs! Every repentant sinner is a living proof. When a new life emerges from a serial killer, a psychopath, an abusive husband, an exploitative employer and an arrogant executive etc. we are able to witness the power of resurrection, the power of faith in Jesus Christ! Instead of holding onto ourselves and relying on our own strength, we repent, we turn to God, we entrust ourselves onto the mercy of God. Only then shall a new life emerge from the ashes of the sinful self!

Impatience breeds violence. We grow impatient when the other party is not ready to accept the will we impose on them. Then we cut corner by inflicting or threatening violence. How can a Christian not allow others time to get ready while God waits patiently for our repentance? How can we impose our will, no matter how good it is, onto others while God respects our freedom and does not impose His will on us? Be patient and trust in the Lord. Allow Him time to unfold His grand design. "Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart." (Psalm 90:12)

We believe in the healing power of God. It is shown by many healing miracles in the gospel and many biographies of saints in subsequent ages. Therefore, we believe in the resurrection of the body because "He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive." (Luke 20:38) We look forward to the day of resurrection of the flesh when all of us emerge with burst eye-balls restored, shattered skeletons restructured and raped innocence immaculate. Amen.

Picture credit: Wikipedia
2016 Homily