In his response to the Sadducees, Jesus explains that our God is a God of the living, not of the dead. Our faith tells us that for those who believe, death is not the end, but rather a transition into the fullness of eternal life with God. We must choose to be faithful to our mission here on earth to serve and love our God that we might enter the glory of the resurrection. Saint Paul tells us that “God wills that all people be saved.” That will, however, is not forced upon us. Rather, it is a positive choice made in faith. We open our hearts to the powerful presence of God and bring that grace to all our daily decisions.
C.S. Lewis wrote a compelling parable entitled The Great Divorce where citizens from hell are allowed to take a bus tour to heaven. The first thing they notice about heaven is that it is bright and is solid ground. As each person relates their story, they are invited to let go of their fears and resentments, all of those issues keeping them from God. If they do, they may stay. Still, the majority choose to hold on to those temporal things and end up leaving. It is their choice and God honors our choices. He will not force anyone to stay.
We believe in the Resurrection of Christ who is our way, our truth and our life. We have chosen to follow Him. Today, we ask for strength to follow where we have not yet been strong enough. We seek his grace through the Sacraments, in particular, the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We hope and pray that, like those brave and faithful sons of the Maccabees, we might remain strong and choose always the God of the living who calls us to eternal life in Him. Choose wisely and faithfully as the Lord calls. Answer that call with faith, hope and love. Live for our God. He lives for us and gave his only Son that we might live forever.