The words of Jesus are hard words for us to hear today, especially in America. They call us to question our lifestyle choices, to turn from our pursuit of happiness, and to experience the gift of grace.
Both preachers and hearers are susceptible to a practical Sadducee-ism, which removes the proclamation and confidence of the bodily resurrection from the regular life of Christ’s Church.
Those who trust in the Lord are not anxious when drought comes because they have the roots that run deep from the tree into which they have been transplanted.
Faith in the Risen One gives us a degree of certainty, even in the face of the trials of those around us, in our core understanding of self and world, for this faith relies on a person.