He is God of the Living (Part 1)

This episode we are beginning a new chapter of the text entitled “Christ Appeals to the Resurrection”. We get to spend the rest of this season, so 6 episodes on this topic. We will be discussing Audiences 64-66 under the heading “The Synoptics: “He is Not God of the Dead But of the Living”. 

Quotes: 

“Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they take neither wife nor husband, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the  God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” (Mark 12:24-27) 

“...mere literal knowledge of Scripture is not enough. Scripture is in fact and above all a means for knowing the power of the living God, who reveals himself in it.” (TOB 65:3) 

“When they rise from the dead, they take neither wife nor husband.” (Mark 12:24)

“In the future resurrection human beings, having regained their bodies in the fullness of the perfection proper to the image and likeness of God-having regained them in their masculinity and femininity-will take neither wife nor husband.” (TOB 66:1) 

“The sons of this age take wife and take husband; but those who are considered worthy of the other world and the resurrection from the dead take neither wife nor husband.” (Luke 20:34-35) 

“In the resurrection, the body will return to perfect unity and harmony with the spirit: man will no longer experience the opposition between what is spiritual and what is bodily in him. “Spiritualization” signifies not only that the spirit will master the body, but, I would say, that it will also fully permeate the body and the powers of the spirit will permeate the energies of the body.” (TOB 67:1) 

“Resurrection means restoration to the true life of human bodiliness, which was subjected to death in its temporal phase.” (TOB 66:5) 

“All that is essentially human in the original experiences of solitude-unity-nakedness will be brought to ultimate fulfillment. Heaven, therefore, will be the experience of a great multitude of solitudes living in perfect unity without any fear of being seen and known by each and by all.” (Christopher West, “Theology of the Body Explained”, pg. 305)

“...man’s ultimate beatitude “must be understood as the definitively and perfectly ‘integrated’ state of man brought about by such a (perfect) union of the soul with the body.” (TOB 66:6) 

Reflection Questions: 

1. What impacted you most in this episode of the podcast? 
2. Have you ever considered that the Sacraments (including marriage) are signs of what is to come in Heaven? How do you feel about this prospect? 
3. What do you think about those who have gone on to Heaven continuing to be ALIVE and active members of the Body of Christ? 
4. Have you ever limited God through your interpretation of Scripture? Did this idea challenge you in any way? 
5. How has God pursued you in your life? 
6. Have you ever considered what our bodies will be like in Heaven? 
7. What reactions do you have to JPII’s description of the “spiritualization” of the resurrected body? 
8. What is your vision of Heaven? Imagine how your relationship with self, others, and God will be made whole. Spend time praising God for His goodness and ask him to help you walk ever closer to Him today. 
9. How could more contemplation on your death and heaven change how you live your life? 

Resources: 

Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well

“Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Heaven but didn’t know to ask” Peter Kreeft

Music from #Uppbeat

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