Resurrection hope: Carries people through

	Word to Life  Jean Denton

I spent an hour walking through a war museum in Hanoi last summer. Some of the place names and battles depicted were familiar. It was interesting to read the descriptions of the American war from a Vietnamese perspective more than three decades later.

Typical of a war museum, the displays showed struggle, death, and heroism as well as cities and landscapes ravaged by firepower. But a room at the far end of the building silently "spoke" of something lasting.

Filled with photographs, the walls told the story of "the women of the war." There were pictures of a few women who had served as spies or functioned in direct battle operations. However, most of the photos were of those who had lost husbands and children in the war.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007) 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 Luke 20:27-38

As I went from picture to picture the effect became palpable. "Her husband, father, and six brothers were killed," read an interpretive sign in old-fashioned type. "She is shown with her daughters - all of her sons died in the fighting," explained another.

"She gave her husband and 14 sons in the war." My mind could not accommodate the thought. Examining this woman's strained face, I could only guess that she survived on the hope of resurrection.

That's all some people have. I've known a few, and it seems they endure their days clinging to that thread. While others of us may have an easier time of it, we really ought to pay attention to these persons' reality - because ours is connected to it.

The hope and truth of resurrection is the message of this weekend's readings.

The story in Maccabees is of a woman and her seven sons who were tortured by their oppressors. They endured the suffering in the belief that they would be raised up "to live again forever." This Scripture speaks on behalf of countless victims of injustice throughout human history, and in the Gospel Jesus confirms that their hope in the resurrection will indeed be realized.

	Reflection questions • Who is someone I have witnessed suffering for the sake of justice? • How is my hope of resurrection tied to that of others, past and present?

Justice is the key. Jesus suffered and died as a victim of injustice and was resurrected "to live again forever" in the reign of love, peace, and justice. If we wish to participate in the resurrection with Jesus and all who lived and suffered for the sake of justice, we also must embrace the reality of that life.

This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.