Buddha never claimed to be God. Moses never claimed to be Jehovah. Mohammed never claimed to be Allah. Yet Jesus Christ claimed to be the true and living God. Buddha simply said, "I am a teacher in search of the truth." Jesus said, "I am the Truth." Confucius said, "I never claimed to be holy." Jesus said, "Who convicts me of sin?" Mohammed said, "Unless God throws his cloak of mercy over me, I have no hope." Jesus said, "Unless you believe in me, you will die in your sins."

I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.--H.G. Wells: (1866 –1946: was a prolific English writer in many genres, including the novel, history, politics, and social commentary)

Gospel Text: (MK 12:18-27)

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,

came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,

“Teacher, Moses wrote for us,

If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,

his brother must take the wife

and raise up descendants for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers.

The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.

So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,

and the third likewise.

And the seven left no descendants.

Last of all the woman also died.

At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?

For all seven had been married to her.”

Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled

because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?

When they rise from the dead,

they neither marry nor are given in marriage,

but they are like the angels in heaven.

As for the dead being raised,

have you not read in the Book of Moses,

in the passage about the bush, how God told 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 greatly misled.”

St. Mark’s Gospel today ends with the great affirmation that God is the God of the living. How important is this concept for us to remember when attempting to bring greater dignity to our brothers and sisters here on earth. God is not one who waits for us to just survive this life, but rather God is actively prodding us to build God’s kingdom each day. This daily grind takes work in a world where caring for others is counter cultural. 

There is a poem written by Sr. Peggy O'Neill, S.C, which I believe captures this idea of building God’s Kingdom here and now. I will conclude this reflection with it.

Hurry Sacred Spirit!
Come with your raging fire

Shape our rage

So that our words burn and transform

Blow us with a mighty wind

So that we walk far enough


Birth in us questions that clash with systems that bind


Shatter stones that entomb: violence, hunger, illiteracy


Stones that keep people apart


Gift us with the Truth that defies lies that hang mist-like over our worlds.





Yes hurry, Oh Movement of God,- prod, push, convince, convert.


Seep into our souls


So that we are one

and
Need not fear.