August 16, 2019

Post-feast of the Dormition; the Transfer from Edessa to Constantinople of the Holy Icon Not Made with Hands of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, also Called the Holy Veil, and the Holy Martyr Diomedes (284-305)

Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat.

Read
2 Corinthians 1:12-20; Matthew 22:23-33

Today’s gospel teaches us a little about intent. Jesus is questioned by the Sadducees, who put to him a question about the resurrection. There is a difference however between a question and problematizing. Here, the Sadducees aren’t trying to question per se, much less trying to gain wisdom. Instead of learning what Jesus has to say, they are much more content in proving him wrong. John Chrysostom sees this right away: “What does Christ say? He replies to both, as taking his stand not against their words but their purpose.” In attempting to ridicule the teacher he shows them what he has knowledge. He actually knows what heaven is like because is there. At the divine liturgy, the deacon prays while incensing the altar: “When your body was in the tomb, and your soul in Hades, when you were in paradise with the thief, you were at the same time, O Christ, as God upon your throne with the Father and the Spirit, infinite and filling all things” God does not check his divine knowledge at the door when he enters into discourse with humanity via the incarnation. Instead, he gives us privileged access to the meaning of the scriptures, the power of God, and what awaits us in heaven. Christ can dwell both in heaven and on earth and therefore has a breadth of vision that befits God. The Sadducees are too terrestrial. Questioning Jesus could be a moment of transcendence. They instead want it to be a trap for the Lord.

Let us approach scripture with the right approach. Not what makes it wrong, but what it can teach us. If we do this, it will reveal to us all the fullness of God and his plan that awaits us in his divine life prepared for us.