24th Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 19th September 2020

Paul dismisses certain possible questions concerning the resurrection as “nonsensical”. Asking such questions is an intrinsic part of our perpetual desire to understand our faith more deeply. Theology is “Faith seeking understanding”, according to a well-known and acceptable definition.

When Paul dismisses these questions as “nonsensical”, he is rejecting the attitudes of the questioners rather than the questions themselves. There are, of course, many different ways of asking questions and the attitude of the questioner is that which makes the question sincere or frivolous, a search for truth or a cynical dismissal of possible truth.

A sincere search for truth is a genuinely spiritual act, for Jesus promised us the gift of the Holy Spirit, who would lead us into all truth. It is important for the Church to seek a deeper understanding of the mysteries of our faith.

Paul demonstrated how we could speak intelligently and intelligibly about the resurrection of the dead through a reflection on seeds: they are sown, die, germinate and produce something greater than the seed itself. In this way, his reflection is a model for thinking over the mystery and searching for greater understanding.

Holy Spirit, lead us into a greater understanding of the mysteries of our faith that we may enjoy the  consolation of the truth which sets us free.