Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 32nd Week in Ordinary time – Sunday –  Cycle C – Luke 20:27-38

Having previously defeated theological challenges from the priests, scribes, elders and Pharisees, Jesus now is confronted by the Sadducees, semi-secular Jews of the leader class who collaborated with the Romans.

Believing that “when you’re dead, you’re dead,” the Sadducees smugly attempt to discredit Jesus by asking His response to an absurd scenario which they believe proves there is no resurrection. The scenario is based on Mose’s directive that men are duty-bound to marry and have children with their sister-in-laws if their brother dies with no descendants. The Sadducees lay out their scenario of a woman who marries seven brothers in succession as they each die without children.  Their question:  After the woman dies, which of the brothers will she be married to in the resurrected afterlife?

Christ, seeing through the subtle “baiting” by the Sadducees, authoritatively corrects and publicly humiliates their absurd scenario.  Giving a first-hand glimpse of Heaven, Christ reveals that after the resurrection, male and female remain but don’t marry and as sons of God will be like the angels. Jesus finishes by showing their ignorance of Scripture, referring to the truth of the resurrection on souls by referring to God’s own revelation of the ongoing existence of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Jesus, The Divine Prophet, doesn’t mince words, authoritatively correcting and humiliating men who arrogantly perpetuate errors or who seek to attack Him; Christ inspired Scripture and has instant recall of all Scripture.  Jesus Christ, the Word who is the seat of all Wisdom, the Eternal Son who was with the Father from the beginning, reveals a small glimmer of the afterlife, confirming the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) It is not unusual for men today to cherry pick Scripture, becoming “scripture twisters” like the Sadducees to win arguments.  Commit to build deep understanding of Scripture as taught by the Catholic Church, which Christ founded, and where the fullness of truth resides.

2) Realize that like the Risen Christ, your body will be glorified and miraculously transcend time and space; you will be “like an angel.” Imagine what this glorious new life might be like.

3) Each time a man says the Creed in Mass or in praying the Rosary, he is making a solemn vow that he believes everything in the Creed. Given that is is both duplicitous and dangerous to profess things you don’t fully understand or believe, commit to build your understanding of the Resurrection (see CCC 988-1019).

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Trinity

Virtue of the Day – Charity

Corporal Work of Mercy – To feed the hungry

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To admonish the sinner