They are like the Angels in Heaven

Tobit 3:1-11.16-17, Mk 12:18-27. Today's first reading presents us with the story of the powerful deeds of the Lord in saving His people. He heard the prayers of His faithful ones in distress. Such as that of Tobit the righteous Israelite who suffered from blindness and other personal matters as well as Sarah, the distressed daughter who was beset by a powerful demon. Tobit and Sarah prayed to the Lord and sought His help in their most vulnerable moments. God answered them by sending one of His Archangels, Raphael into the world to help them and show them the love He has for them, as well as the guidance and providence that He has shown to them along the way. Through the Archangel Raphael, God eventually rescued Tobit and healed his eyesight, while sending his son Tobias with Raphael to visit the family of Sarah, who was the daughter of Tobit’s friend, Raguel. Raphael would then free Sarah from the bondage by the evil spirit and deliver her from her troubles. God answers our prayers in a wonderful way even when there seemS to be no way.

We have to foster the virtue of hope and particularly, the hope of seeing God. It was this hope that Jesus speaks of in today's Gospel, to defend the resurrection of the dead when some Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, came up to Jesus and put a tricky question before Him. They challenge Jesus as one whom they know has a different view on this issue. The scenario they put to Jesus indicates a view of the afterlife as simply and an extension of this earthly life. However, Jesus proposes another scenario: “When they rise from the dead, men and women do not marry; no, they are like the angels in heaven.” In Christian belief, the life that awaits us in Heaven is not just a continuation of life on earth; it is qualitatively different. Writing to the Corinthians, Paul speaks about this life beyond death in terms of transformation: “We shall all be changed,” he says (1 Cor. 15:50). He further states that love does not fade away; love endures into eternity. Our love for the Lord and for each other will be perfected in Heaven, even if it will be expressed in a very different way to how it is expressed on earth. We can be sure, therefore, that because of the transformation that awaits us we will be more like the person God wills us to be and always intended us to be.

May the Lord guide us to walk humbly in the path of justice, teach us His way and let our interactions with others be filled with the love, mercy and grace of God! Amen!! Good morning and have a successful day!!!