Knowing the God of Resurrection
We know that lack of knowledge leads to error. For anything to be done right, a doer has to possess the requisite understanding. Today’s gospel offers us a deeper revelation about the cause of error (sin).
Jesus says we err, get deceived, wander away from the right path, not only because we do not have knowledge of the Scriptures but also, we know not the power of God. St. Paul summarized his desire in life in the following sentence: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and share in His sufferings…” (Phil 3:10).
Paul was not referring to theoretical knowledge but an empirical experience of whom Christ is which must include His entire passion. In a sense, Paul’s prayer is the human heart’s desire to get to the realm of victory—I want to know how you conquered death—the highest form of evil (caused by error/sin). Paul sought this knowledge, and he found it! In the letter to the Colossians, again St Paul writes, “Seek what is above”(Col 3:1)! Within holy desires is found no error. How often we strive to keep our desires pure?
Knowing the Scriptures
Jesus made the Sadducees (a Jewish sect in the time of Jesus that did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and denied the existence of spirits and Angels) realize their belief system was informed by a lack of understanding of Scriptures. They clearly contain the plan of God for humanity—to live for God here on earth and be with Him in eternity—a promise which God fulfilled in the patriarchs and which He will continue to fulfill in anyone who follows the purposes of God. But how can anyone accept God’s purposes if one does not know of His almighty power? Hence, it is not enough to know the Scripture. We ought to know, as a matter of necessity, the power that issues forth from the Scripture.
Knowing the Power of the God of Patriarchs
When anyone doubts supernatural truths, it is usually because the person is trying to access that particular truth with his/her human intellect alone. The Lord said, “You neither know the Scripture nor the power of God.”
He then went further to explain the contents of the Writings that He was referring to. Using the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our Lord Jesus refers to them as the living because they lived for God. His Jewish audience knows the story of the patriarchs, but do they know why the God they worship is referred to as the God of the patriarchs? From these brief but powerfully deep teachings of Jesus, we can see why.
– The nature of God is Life. Hence, God’s faithful share eternity with God.
– Everyone in God’s presence is alive, not dead, irrespective of how long ago they left the world.
– God chose the patriarchs to reveal His might and power through them.
– The ultimate promise of God to humanity is eternal life with Him.
– Eternity with God gives believers God’s identity—Angelic essence.
– In God’s presence, every need is satisfied.
– We perfectly fulfilled the need for companionship and family in the beatific vision.
The above truths belong to the realm of knowledge acquired by Faith in God who reveals them. St. Paul says that the human sensory experience has not been able to perceive what God has prepared for those who love Him and yet, He has revealed it through His Spirit (cf 1 Cor. 2:9ff). God invites us through His revelations to know, share, and dwell in His power.
