RESURRECTION:
YES___, NO___, UNDECIDED__?
CHECK ONE
INTRODUCTION
The title of my homily is, “Resurrection: Yes___, No___, Undecided___? Check One!
Do I believe in resurrection from the dead after this life? Yes___, No___, Undecided____? Check one.
Isn’t that a blunt way of putting it?
In preparing this homily – after reading the readings – I was doing some research and came across a rather blunt quote that triggered my thoughts.
The quote is from a man named John E. Large. I’ve never heard of him before – and I couldn’t find anything about him on Google. I did find the name of a Doctor John Small. Well, John E. Large wrote the following in a 1962 document entitled, The Small Needle of Doctor Large, “The entire character of a man’s whole life depends on whether he answers ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the historic fact of Resurrection.”
Repeat: “The entire character of a man or woman’s whole life depends on whether he or she answers ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the historic fact of Resurrection.”
Reflecting on that cold, dramatic quote, I came up with the title and theme of my homily for today: “Resurrection: Yes___, No___, Undecided___? Check One.”
I would assume that one’s life would be different – if one thought this is all there is – life on earth – and then we disappear forever.
I would assume that one’s life would be different – if I know and act as if there is a hereafter.
TODAY’S FIRST AND THIRD READINGS
Today’s first reading and today’s gospel certainly have the theme of resurrection.
The Sadducees, one of those groups in Jesus’ time, who didn’t buy or accept him, would check, “No, I don’t believe in the resurrection?” if asked.
Today’s first reading – from 2nd Maccabees is picked because it’s from a pre-Christian Jewish document that expresses a belief in the resurrection. The Protestant Bible and Jewish Bibles don’t have either book of Maccabees.
I found it interesting to read that 1st and 2nd Maccabees are from around 124 B.C. and they were an abbreviated document from a 5 volume work by a man named Jason of Cyrene who wrote about the Maccabean revolt in Israel that took place between 180 to 160 B.C.
ANECDOTES
One of the most popular way of making a point or arguing is to use an anecdote – or a story – or an example. We’re just finished the elections – and we’ve all heard politicians trying to make a point by talking about a widow in Wisconsin – who lost her husband in Iraq or a store keeper in Shreveport, Louisiana who wants to hire one more employee, but can’t because of the economy. Anecdotes…. Ronald Reagan was a pro at using them.
Today’s first reading has the anecdote or part of the story about the 7 Maccabean brothers who were tortured and killed for keeping the Jewish practices of their faith in God. And the first reading ends this way – with the fourth brother saying, “It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.”
And this story was told and remembered by any Jew who kept his faith in the midst of persecution – with the hope of eternal life. “I’m going to make it. Are you going to make it?”
I have often thought the most powerful image of hell – is not fire or torture – or separation from God and loved ones – but non-existence after life. “You didn’t believe in this. Okay, you got your belief. Good-bye forever.” However, I obviously don’t believe God would do this.
And the gospel for this 32 Sunday of the Year has an anecdote or story that the Sadducees used to ridicule resurrection after death. It’s the story of the 7 brothers who married this one woman. The question always hits me: “What were the 4, 5, 6 and 7th brothers not thinking?”
It’s a funny anecdote and you can hear the Sadducees using it to make fun of anyone believing in life after death.
And Jesus gives his glimpse of life after death – that resurrection after death will not be like the here and now. For example, there will be no marriage and remarriage in the hereafter.
So those of you who remarried after a spouse has died, breathe a sigh of relief. You’re spouse will not be waiting for you just inside the Pearly or Golden Gates with a face that says, “How could you?”
AFTERLIFE
As to what the afterlife will be like, we have to die to find out.
I know I’m not ready yet. How about you?
We have the gift of imagination – so there are lots of anecdotes and jokes and stories about the hereafter. Heaven is pictured as being in the clouds, or we’re at a big wedding banquet, or a place with many mansions, or we’ve entered into the Holy City of God, the New Jerusalem, or we’re standing in a big field as a sheep and not a goat – or we’re on a mountain with all kinds of folks.
I once preached a sermon here at St. Mary’s about life after death. I pictured people arriving in heaven at a bus stop. There is Saint Peter with a clipboard telling us there are two neighborhoods we can choose to go in heaven – to choose where we want to live. Then the story went from there – and people find out about their attitudes and what they did in their life. I thought I was being original till I heard someone talk about the bus stop in heaven image in something C.S. Lewis wrote. My sermon was rather different, and I didn’t remember having read or heard that image from an earlier sermon, but who knows? Maybe I heard it when I was a kid. Who says people don’t remember sermons – or remember what they read?
I also have a sermon I wrote entitled, “The Long Line!” Before I came to Annapolis, for 8 and ½ years I preached parish missions out of our parish of St. Gerard’s in Lima, Ohio. Every year we came up with a new mission – a whole new series of talks. It would take about 5 missions in 5 different cities or towns – before myself and a guy named Tom figured out what we were really trying to say. Looking back I must admit that I thought that 25 minute evening sermon entitled, “The Long Line” was the most interesting talk I came up with because it taught me a lot. I preached it about 25 times – and I hope each time better. I pictured people who died waking up after death and standing on this big, long, long, long line. At first no one talked to the person next to them. In time conversations began as people moved forward. I might check that sermon out one of these days and see what my thoughts are today. Relax, I won’t use it on a Sunday morning. It’s at least 22 minutes long. And I also found out that Thomas Merton has a poem about Ernest Hemingway after he committed suicide. He has Ernest climbing this big staircase. Plagiarism is rampant!
Other religions have all kinds of other images of the hereafter.
What’s your image of eternity – heaven – hell – resurrection?
For the past 40 years I have gone by the scripture text. “Eye has not seen; ear has not heard; nor has it entered the human heart what God has prepared for those who love him.” [Cf. Isaiah 64: 3; 1 Corinthians 2:9.]
ANECDOTES IN SUPPORT OF AN AFTERLIFE
If the Sadducees used an anecdote to try to say there is no afterlife, is there an anecdote or story that would get you to check “Yes” I believe in life after death. I believe in resurrection.
Of course our bottom line is faith – our bottom dollar is placed on Christ who rose from the dead and said he is the way, the truth and the life, that he is the key to the door that leads to eternal life.
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
That’s my act of faith.
But I have a many anecdotes that I ponder – and let me present some of them – because I’m wondering if everyone has their various stories or wonderings or questions about eternal life.
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Last year I got to Saint Petersburg in Russia and we went to these enormous mansions and palaces that the czars of Russia lived in – summer and winter palaces – and they had hundreds and hundreds of servants. I began reflecting on no wonder there was communism, no wonder there was the execution of royal families. The peasants were treated as dirt. What was their life like? No wonder the French revolution and the guillotine? I remembered reading about emperors and others dying and their wives and slaves were killed and buried with them. I thought about the Pyramids – those gigantic death memorials for the Pharaohs, etc. What were the thoughts of folks who had to build all these edifices? Did anyone ever give them a break? It made me proud of being a Catholic with our history in modern times supporting workers and labor unions. [1] It also made me proud of being an American. We don’t have a caste system like other countries. People can rise to the top of the pyramid – at least that’s the American Dream. Then the further thought? What about all those who slaved for others – died for others – who never were given a chance in life – for the good life? Then the thought: this life is not enough. Fairness screams for resurrection.
ABORTIONS, CHILD DEATHS, HORROR STORIES
Abortions, child deaths, massacres, holocausts, ethnic cleansings, suicide bombings that kill lots of random people, the loss of young people in battles: all need our reflection. Horror stories are part of every era of the history of our world. Once more: fairness screams for resurrection.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
And lastly I’ve reflected upon the question of unfinished business. I have been blessed with faith. I have been blessed with a good life in a good country. I have been blessed with a good education. However, I have so much unfinished business – people whose lives I barely got to know, people whom I didn’t really listen to, never asked their forgiveness, never received their saying, “I forgive you!”. There are books I’ve bought that are half finished or quarter finished or never opened. There are questions barely understood, let alone answered. There is a God whom I hardly touched the hem of His garment. There is Christ whose feet I never washed with my tears. There is The Holy Spirit, the Third Person in this One God. Who are You and what are You about? There is so much unfinished business. So unfinished business screams for resurrection.
CONCLUSION
Enough. Sometimes I feel sermons go on for eternity. Well, I hope the title of this homily triggered some inner prayers and thinking, “Resurrection: Yes___, No___, Undecided___? Check One!
I hope the quote from John E. Large that I gave in the beginning of this homily hit you like it hit me. Let me repeat it once more and finish with it: “The entire character of a man’s whole life depends on whether he answers ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the historic fact of Resurrection.”
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In case you can't read the caption on the cartoon, it is, "Superb martinis!"
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[1] Below is a list of social encyclicals by Catholic Popes in modern times. . Since you’re reading this on line, you can find all these encyclicals on line. For those who listen and watch lots of TV and radio talk shows, I suggest you listen to these letters from our Popes – and connect them with the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and enter into deep prayer so as to come up with a deeper concern for all our brothers and sisters around the world. If you don’t have time, simply read Matthew 25: 31 to 46; Luke 10: 29-37; and Luke 16: 19-31 - as well as the Old Testament Prophets.
Rerum et Novarum, “Of New Things”, an encyclical by Pope Leo XIII, May 15, 1891. The encyclical deals with “Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor.”
Quadragesimo Anno, “In the 40th Year” – and encyclical by Pope Pius XI that was issued on May 15, 1931 – which was 40 years after Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum Novarum. The letter deals with the impact and dangers to human beings – from unrestrained capitalism and totalitarian communism. The letter once calls for the reconstruction of society based on the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity.”
Mater et Magistra, “Mother and Teacher” – the Encyclical Letter of Pope John XXIII on “Christianity and Social Progress” promulgated on May 15, 1961.
Pacem et Terris, “Peace on Earth.” This is the last encyclical from Pope John XXIII. It was issued on April 11, 1963.
Gaudium et Spes – The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, from Pope Paul VI, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, Together with the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, Rome, St. Peter’s, December 7, 1965
Populorum Progressio, On the Development of People’s, promulgated by Pope Paul VI on March 26, 1967
Centesimus Annus, “The Hundredth Year” – an encyclical from Pope John Paul II that was promulgated in 1991. It’s referring to the Catholic Social teachings from Rerum Novarum issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891
Laborem Exercens, “On Human Work,” an encyclical from Pope John Paul II promulgated on September 14, 1991.
Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, “On Social Concern” is an encyclical promulgated on December 30, 1987, by Pope John Paul II – connecting it with the 20th Anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s social encyclical Populorum Progressio.
Caritas in Veritate, “Charity in Truth,” is the third but first social encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI – promulgated on July 7, 2009.
