(Adults, you could begin by reading the scripture passage to your child but it is a little confusing. Alternatively, read through the reflection, pausing for your child to reflect on what is being said.)
In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus meets some people called the Sadducees. The Sadducees are very confused. There is something they do not understand. They do not know something that we know.
Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question.
What do the Sadducees not understand? They do not understand about resurrection. They do not know that Jesus dies on the cross and rises to new life, never to die again.We know this, but the Sadducees do not. So they are confused.
When Jesus dies on the cross, this life ends. The Sadducees understand about this life. They know it ends in death. But they do not know what we know. God fills Jesus with new Risen life. Now he is so completely full of the life and light of God he can never die again. Risen life is resurrection.
At church, we light the greatest candle, the Paschal candle, to remind us of Jesus' Risen life, to remind us of his light that is stronger than death.
Jesus tells the Sadducees that when this life ends, Risen life follows. He says,
in the resurrection from the dead... they cannot die anymore, because they are...children of God, being children of the resurrection.
Who are these children of the resurrection? Who are the children of God? Do we know them?
Jesus does not want to keep his Risen life all to himself. He sends the Holy Spirit so that all people may be baptized and receive the light of Jesus' Risen life—so that all people might one day enjoy the full life of God.
When we are baptized, a candle is lit for us from the great Paschal candle, to show everyone that we receive the light of Jesus' Risen life—that, we are children of God, children of the resurrection—that we, too, will enjoy the abundant life of God.