Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘C’

As we approach the end of the Church year, the readings start focusing more on what happens  at the end of our lives and beyond. Today’s readings invite us to think about what life after death  really means, and how the way we live now is connected to our future, either in God’s glory or  separated from Him. We are encouraged to reflect on the true meaning of the Resurrection and  how it impacts our daily lives. 

In the First Reading, we hear about a brave Jewish family, a mother and her seven sons, who  refuse to go against their beliefs, even when threatened by the authorities. They are told to do  something they know is wrong, but they stay true to their faith. Instead of giving in, they find  courage in believing that God will reward them beyond this life, and that being faithful has  meaning even to the point of death. 

The Second Reading encourages the early Christians in Thessalonica to keep trusting in God.  Many of them thought Jesus would return soon, but St. Paul reminds them that, until then, God  will give them the strength to live lives of goodness, kindness, and faith. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is put on the spot by religious leaders trying to trick Him with tricky  questions about resurrection. Jesus answers in a way that shows us heaven is very different  from anything we know on earth. He reminds us that God is not the God of the dead, but of the  living. Life with God after death is something completely new and better than anything we can  imagine, so much so, that even marriage, as we know it, doesn't work the same way. 

What does all this mean for us today? We are called to be “people of the Resurrection.” That  means we shouldn’t be stuck in destructive habits or negative thinking. Instead, we should find  joy and peace in the knowledge that the Risen Jesus is truly with us, even on our toughest and  most ordinary days. Remembering the promise of eternal life can help us get through stress,  disappointment, knowing God is always present through the Holy Spirit. This hope should guide  how we think, speak, and act. 

Believing in the Resurrection also means we treat our bodies with respect, and honoring others  by showing them love and kindness. 

Let us remember that our God is alive, and our worship should be full of life, too. When we pray  or sing and gather for Mass, let us be present and active, not just going through the motions.  Let’s bring grateful, open hearts to God, offering Him our lives and everything we do each day.