Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

First Reading

2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14

Jewish martyrs give witness to their faith, even unto death.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 17:1,5-6,8,15

The just person will live in God's presence.

Second Reading

2 Thessalonians 2:16—3:5

Paul encourages the Thessalonians and asks for their prayers.

Gospel Reading

Luke 20:27-38

Jesus answers a question from some Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead. (short form Luke 20:27, 34-38)

Background on the Gospel Reading

In today's Gospel, we hear about an encounter between Jesus and some Sadducees. The Sadducees were a party of Judaism active in Jesus' time, descended from the priestly family of Zadok. They were literal interpreters of the written Law of Moses, which means that they were in disagreement with the position of the Pharisees, who offered an oral interpretation of the Law of Moses.

The Sadducees are described in this Gospel as opponents to the belief in resurrection. In the dialogue presented here, we see an example of the means of disputation that was common in first century Judaism. The Sadducees use the example of Levirate marriage, found in the Law of Moses, to disprove belief in the resurrection. According to Deuteronomy 25:5-10, if a man died without producing an heir, the man's brother should marry his wife and the offspring of this union would inherit the property and carry on the name of the man who had died. The Sadducees use this as an example to challenge belief in the resurrection.

Jesus argues from the same written Law of Moses to show that there is resurrection. Using the texts from the Book of Exodus (Chapter 3) that describe Moses' encounter with God in the burning bush, Jesus shows that God is the God of the living, not the dead. Here Jesus uses the same method and texts of the Sadducees to counter them. As the Gospel text suggests, he beat them at their own game!

More importantly, in this discourse Jesus shows the limits of our imaginations when it comes to eternal life. The Sadducees argued against resurrection because of the limits of earthly existence. They did not imagine another possibility for existence and relationship with God. Jesus proposes that the possibilities of resurrected life are beyond our imaginations. Jesus' conclusion suggests something else as well: To spend time worrying about resurrected life is to miss the point. The point is eternal relationship with God is possible, for God is the God of the living, “. . . for to him all are alive.”

I Received the Living God

Another hymn recorded live by the Sunday 7pm Choir at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Ajax, ON Canada. This Eucharistic hymn reflects many of the teachings of Jesus.

Help Our Youth Go To the National Conference

Last weekend after all the Masses you saw many of our youth, young adults, and adults out on the church patio fundraising for our trip on November 10 – 13 to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). Thank you to all who supported. You can still donate through online giving or by putting an envelope in the collection. We now have 19 eager youth attending. Some of our youth really need financial help. Any donation is greatly appreciated. 

To donate electronically, click on the button below to use our Online Giving. Choose the fund "OTHER". Under notes, enter “In support of NCYC.”  Thank You!

Monthly Sunday Garage Sale

The Monthly "Garage Sale" on Sunday at the Ye Olde Garage will be Sunday, November 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Come and see what is available. We have our Christmas Items showcased for this month. We look forward to seeing you.

Regular "Garage Sale" Days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For those of you who are new to St. Patrick's, the Ye Olde Garage is located at the furthest North/East corner of the North Parking lot (near Adam Street). Look for the Green sign and the American Flag. That is where we will be.

Next Family Mass

Have you heard about how great our monthly Family Masses are? Last Sunday the church was full of joyful Catholics rejoicing as three young people were baptized: Cameron Pinesett, and Finn and William Sanders. We reflected on the invitation Jesus made to Zacchaeus to come and visit his home. 

Our next Family Mass will be on Sunday, November 27 at 9:00 am. It will be the First Sunday of Advent and we will focus on celebrating the season of Advent at home. There will be a special gift for 50 families. Plan to join in this joyful celebration of Advent hope.

Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,

Jesús dijo, “Y que los muertos resucitan, el mismo Moisés lo indica en el episodio de la zarza, cuando lo llama al Señor, Dios de Abraham, Dios de Isaac, Dios de Jacob. Porque Dios no es Dios de los muertos, sino de vivos, pues para él todos viven”. Este domingo, el 32º Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario, en el Evangelio de san Lucas encontramos una conversación entre Jesús y los Saduceos. Los Saduceos eran muy apegados al Templo y aceptaban el Pentateuco, que eran los primeros 5 libros de la Biblia. Pero los Saduceos no creían en la Resurrección, ellos pensaban que cuando morían la vida que seguía era una continuación de esta vida. Y es por eso que la pregunta que le hacen a Jesús sobre la resurrección es sólo para ponerle una trampa para que caiga. Pero Jesús les responde que habrá distinción de esta vida que vivimos en este mundo a la vida futura, la vida celestial, “porque seremos como los ángeles e hijos de Dios”. ¿Cuál es tu idea sobre la resurrección? ¿Nos encontraremos con nuestros seres queridos que murieron antes? O, ¿tendremos que correr desesperadamente buscándolos? Muchas preguntas sin respuestas claras. Recordar lo que nos dice Jesús, esta vida es muy diferente a lo que nos espera en la vida celestial. En esa vida celestial, ¡estaremos con el Dios de los Vivos, no el Dios de los muertos! No nos faltará nada, estaremos en su presencia mirándolo cara a cara. Es ese Dios que nuestros seres queridos difuntos están gozando hoy. Y es por eso que nuestras vidas deben reflejar lo que nos espera: gozo, alegría, compasión, inclusión, unidad, amor, perdón, etc. ¿Estamos reflejando esto?   

Detente

Hablemos de Resurrección

3821 Adams Street

Carlsbad, California 92008

760.729.2866