The Sadducees are fixated on Dying; Jesus is focused on living. The Sadducees deny there is Resurrection; Jesus proves there Is by rising from the dead. The Sadducees are trapped by the affairs of this life; Jesus abides with the angels and “the children of God . . . who will rise.” The Sadducees’ idea of this life ends with death: there is nothing more. Jesus knows that this life continues in newness of life. And there is even more: we already participate in what the Sadducees deny. To God “all are alive” now.
In no uncertain terms, Jesus affirms resurrection and eternal life. This “hope God gives of being raised up by him” (first reading) fortifies us to remain faithful to God even when the price in this life is ultimate (an extreme example of which is the death of the seven brothers). We can give our life because God gives us new life. God wants all to have life that is everlasting.
In the ordinariness and busyness of our everyday living, we rarely think about either the end times or eternal life. Nearing the conclusion of the liturgical year, the Lectionary readings invite us to reflect on the reality of the end of the world and God’s promise and gift of fullness of life.