In today's Gospel, Jesus defends the truth of the resurrection against the Sadducees' attack for two reasons.
First, there is life after death. Heaven is real, and so is hell. Jesus taught this many times. The New Testament teaches it many times.
Second reason, we live in a fallen world.Sin, self-indulgence, and self-glorification are natural tendencies in this world - even for Christians.
But true happiness, true and everlasting life, is incompatible with sin and selfishness.Therefore, in order to begin experiencing true life now, and to enter into it after we die, we have to go against some strong natural tendencies.
How can we possibly persevere in following Christ when we are surrounded by such difficulties and opposition?One of our best weapons is the Resurrection.
Keeping the bigger picture in mind can, just as it did for the seven brothers in the First Reading, give us the courage we need to resist temptations and stay faithful to Christ - no matter the cost.
Paulus Waris Santoso, O.Carm