God of the Living

Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that ‘if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.”

Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” Mark 12:13-27 

We have been vacationing in my home town for a week and a half. Just a few days left and we have a house full. The laughter and the joy are infectious, the noise level tremendous and all full of life. God is here with us. We are in a place that holds wonderful memories and some very sad ones. Yet, we choose to be among the living, among the real and present lives, so full of joy.

Jesus is questioned with hypothetical senarios, tested with by learned religious leaders who were failing at be present in the moment with him. They couldn't see the presence of God in their midst because of their obsessions and memories. God invites us today to be present and fully alive among the people and the situations that surround us.

Today, I ask God to help me set aside worry and planning and embrace the people and the moments we have together. May we all seek God in the today, in the now and with those whose live are linked with ours.