“Arise, soldiers of Christ, throw away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” — St. Cecilia

Today the Church celebrates St. Cecilia, a third-century Roman virgin remembered for her courage, purity of faith, and unwavering witness to Christ. Born into a privileged family yet consumed by the love of God, she used her life to lead countless others to Christ through her quiet strength and fidelity. Her name, honored in the Roman Canon, echoes through the centuries, and she remains the patron saint of musicians and choristers—those whose gifts lift hearts toward heaven. The Gospel presents a dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection. Jesus responds by recalling Moses’ encounter at the burning bush where God reveals Himself as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Jesus concludes: “He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” This truth resounds throughout our faith: the angel at the empty tomb asks, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” and in the Creed we profess our belief in “the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” Our God is a God of life, and all who belong to Him live in Him. Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees invites us into three lessons: First, death does not sever the bond between God and His people. The patriarchs remained in God’s presence long after their earthly lives ended. Likewise, if we cultivate a true relationship with God now, that relationship continues beyond the grave. God’s love is not temporary but eternal; nothing—not even death—can break His covenant with us. Second, because our God is living, He desires to share eternal life with us. This gift is not automatic; it is prepared for those who live in fidelity, hope, and love. Our daily choices, our acts of mercy, and our witness to the Gospel proclaim whether we truly believe in the living God. Like St. Cecilia, we are called to let our lives sing of God’s presence. Finally, the readings warn us about the tragedy of a life lived without reference to eternity. Antiochus Epiphanes, near death, recognizes too late the weight of his cruelty toward God’s people. His story reminds us that rejecting the life God desires for us leads to a spiritual “second death.” We are invited instead to live as those whose God is ever alive, people of hope, integrity, and resurrection faith. May St. Cecilia intercede for us, that our lives, like hers, may echo the song of the living God and lead others toward the eternal life He offers.