Snared in the work of our hands

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary present a reminder that our cleverness to seek gain and advantage for ourselves is path which requires much energy and effort. The First Book of Maccabees details the last days of Antiochus Epiphanes which are marked by a life sapping depression and illness which are a consequence of the fear of the king as his empire begins to collapse. The psalmist praises the work of the Lord which has caused the enemies of Israel to be "shared in the work of their own hands".  This theme will be presented to us as the Christmas season arrives and we revisit Dicken's "A ChristmasCarol" and see how Scrooge has become trapped in the persona of one driven by greed. The Sadducees, in the Gospel of Luke attempt to trick Jesus by a legalistic question about life after the resurrection. Their position is that there is no resurrection and they are seeking to expose the error of those who do not hold their position. Jesus brings them to the proclamation of Moses concerning Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The texts which the religious authorities know refer to the Patriarchs in the present tense when Moses encounters God at the burning bush. The scribes, who are the opponents of the Sadducees, praise Jesus answer probably more for the silencing of the questioners than for its insight into the Divine Plan. The journey to praise of the simple and beautiful works of the Creator does not detour to self aggrandizement.