PRI Reflections on Scripture | Wednesday of the 9th Week of Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Wednesday of the 9th Week of Ordinary Time
Download

Original Post Date: June 5, 2024
===
Gospel
Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,
came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying,
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,
If someone's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,
his brother must take the wife
and raise up descendants for his brother.
Now there were seven brothers.
The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.
So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants,
and the third likewise.
And the seven left no descendants.
Last of all the woman also died.
At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be?
For all seven had been married to her."
Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled
because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
When they rise from the dead,
they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but they are like the angels in heaven.
As for the dead being raised,
have you not read in the Book of Moses,
in the passage about the bush, how God told him,
I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, 
and the God of Jacob?
He is not God of the dead but of the living.
You are greatly misled."

Reflection

The audience in this story is different than those that we've just reflected upon. The Sadducees were a group of Jews who simply did not believe that there was such a thing as life after death. What I think is interesting about Jesus response to them is that he's simply saying, you know you're greatly misled. You have been taught poorly and you don't understand.

There's a gentleness in the way he treats them compared to the way he treated the scribes and Pharisees. He is more compassionate and understanding. That's what he does whenever we don't understand. He gently says, you were misled and let me lead you. Let me show you the truth, and I will do that for you.

Closing Prayer

Father, give us the courage to look at the things that we don't fully understand, and turn to you and ask you to explain. You long to lead us into a place of truth and life. Let us never hesitate to admit that we do not understand. But we long to understand. And when we ask, you will answer our needs. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 
 

Your Support Makes A Difference

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and encouragement. Your generosity allows us to share Msgr. Don’s message with people near and far, offering hope, guidance, and the assurance of God’s presence.

As a listener-supported ministry, everything we do — from keeping Msgr. Don on SiriusXM to sharing the Daily Reflections — is made possible by people like you. If Msgr. Don’s reflections have been meaningful in your life, we invite you to help us continue this ministry.

Please consider making a one-time gift or becoming a monthly supporter by clicking here.

Your support helps ensure that Msgr. Don’s message continues to reach those who need it most. Together, we continue this mission of faith and renewal, and we thank you for walking alongside us on this journey.

Kyle Cross