Scripture Saturday

When I realized this Sunday's readings talk about resurrection I wondered why. It isn't' Easter.  It's not even Christmas.  But on thinking a bit, I realized that the days are getting shorter, darker and colder.  Many struggle with depression around this time.  Cold and flu season is upon us. We worry about our health.  We are about to enter what is in the West, months-long season of gluttony and overspending (in the name of Christ?) We need encouragement.  We need to be reminded that there is a higher purpose.

In the first reading from the Book of Maccabees the 7 brothers are tortured and killed for their Jewish faith.  The last brother to die tells his captors,

It is my choice to die at the hands of men
with the hope God gives of being raised up by him;
but for you, there will be no resurrection to life.
~1 Maccabees

Resurrection and oneness with God cannot occur if our focus is on snuffing out faith.  For, all are God's children and true peace cannot occur if we are looking not at God and His Love, but at hatred and the prince of darkness.

The psalm reminds us that all we need do is cry out to God and he will guard us as something vulnerable and irreplaceable.  The Kingdom of God is *now*, if we walk in God's justice and enable others to do the same.  We will not be in the darkness, but in the protective Presence of God.

Keep me as the apple of your eye,
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking I shall be content in your presence.
~Psalm 17

These are challenging times.  This is a challenging time of year.  Our being often cries out, from an ancient place, that we are lost and the times around us are perilous. Saint Paul reminds us to pray

that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked people,
for not all have faith.
But the Lord is faithful;
he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
~2 Thessalonians

The reminder of death and evil this time of year is not by accident.  It is something we feel in our very bones.  Nature itself reminds us that, as the days grow shorter and seem to end, ours will as well.

Jesus assures us that those who place their faith in Him and live His Kingdom among their fellow men

can no longer die,
for they are like angels;
and they are the children of God
because they are the ones who will rise.
~Luke