We are the resurrection-people. When the secular humanists, the Sadducees of modern times, focus their lives on this side of death and for practical purposes claim there is no resurrection from the dead (Lk 20:27), we talk about "the age to come" when we no longer marry, become like angels, and are not liable to death (Lk 20:35, 36). The secularists often refuse to believe us. They even persecute us and try to kill us. They mistakenly think that they can refute our claims to resurrection by killing us. In fact, however, this sets the stage for us to prove we are the resurrection-people. "But after the three and a half days, the breath of life which comes from God returned" to us (Rv 11:11). When we stood on our feet, "sheer terror gripped those who saw" us (Rv 11:11).

Secularists and those of the world have martyred millions of Christians, but "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians" (Catechism, 852). I solemnly assure you, "unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit" (Jn 12:24). "God is not the God of the dead but of the living. All are alive for Him" (Lk 20:38). "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor 15:54).

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 1, 2008

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