In the course of his public ministry, the Lord doesn’t often talk directly about marriage, but when he does, it’s often controversial.
On Friday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time we considered the Lord’s teaching on marriage and divorce. There, the Lord put an end to the debate of the pharisees and the scholars--that aside from those circumstances where lawful impediments exist ,(siblings cannot marry, parents cannot marry their children, etc.) a husband and wife, truly joined in the bond of holy matrimony, cannot be separated, because God has joined them.
In today’s reading, the Lord gives another unexpected teaching: that in heaven, in the resurrection, there is no marriage. So a man and a woman joined on earth in holy matrimony, will not be married in heaven: “When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage”
Earthly marriage is a sacrament by which spouses are blessed to become a sign of God' steadfast and permanent love for us—Christ’s indissoluble bond with the Church.
Yet, the relationship between souls in heaven will be based on their shared love for God, rather than on earthly bonds. Earthly marriage, though sacred and important, is ultimately a preparation for the eternal union with God in heaven.
While earthly marriage ends with death, the love and grace experienced within a holy marriage are not lost. The sacrament of marriage is a means for the sanctification of the spouses, helping them grow in holiness and preparing them for eternal life. In heaven, the love shared between spouses on earth will be transformed and perfected in their shared love for God.
Whether married or single or celibate, the Lord’s teaching here reminds us all that earthly attachments and institutions, even those as vital as marriage, are temporary. We must live for heaven in mind—serving God in this life, by being faithful to our earthly commitments and vocations like marriage and the priesthood and the universal call to holiness, while always giving priority to God.
Notice, too how, in this passage Jesus admonishes the Sadducees for not knowing the Scriptures. They lack understanding of God’s will, because they haven’t sought to truly understand God’s Word. To quote St. Jerome, “Ignorance of Scripture, is ignorance of Christ.”
So again, whether marriage, single, or celibate, we are to dispose our minds and hearts so very often, to God’s Word, by reading and reflecting on the Sacred Scriptures to guide our faith and activity.
Through the holy mysteries of our faith, may we be strengthened in that unity with God through Christ which brings us our sanctification and salvation for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That during this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, all Christians may witness to the tender love of Christ for sinners through our prayer, fasting, and works of charity.
For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept safe from the errors of our culture and kept in close friendship with Jesus through prayer and acts of mercy.
For all married couples, that they may be faithful to the Gospel in every dimension of their married life—and that single and celibate Christians may witness to the sacrificial, all-embracing love of Christ for all.
For the sick, the impoverished, the lonely, those suffering from mental illness, those most in need, and those near death: may God, through the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, be close to them in their trials
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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