Wednesday, IX Week
(Mark 12)
Jesus reminds us in the gospel passages this week of a prize fighter or a pool sharpshooter. He takes on all who wish to challenge him and easily turns back their best efforts. Yesterday he outwitted the Pharisees who tried to trap him with a touchy question about taxes. Today he defends himself against the Sadducees who poke fun at his idea of the resurrection. Tomorrow he will respond insightfully to a sincere question about the greatest commandment.
Mark the Evangelist wants us to see Jesus’ mind and tongue as superior to those of any other. Of course, he sees Jesus’ virtue not ending with mental and oral prowess. A bit ahead in the gospel, Jesus suffers about the most gruesome death imaginable for the salvation of all. Mark presents Jesus as God’s beloved son whose blood brings about reconciliation between heaven and earth.
The argument which Jesus makes in today’s gospel fills out Mark’s picture of Jesus. What good would reconciliation of heaven and earth be if there were no resurrection of the dead? Too often in this world the good eat dirt while the unjust enjoy fine dining. In the resurrection of the dead we expect to find a reversal. Those who love God and neighbor now will have seats at the table of the eternal banquet. Meanwhile, those who present only their back sides to others now will find themselves smelling the aroma outside.
