We usually divide people as those "alive" or "dead." We, who are living in time and space, may need this differentiation. But for God who has no beginning or end and is eternal, our human language and categorization are irrelevant.

The response of Jesus to the discussion on the resurrection of the dead is remarkable. As children of the resurrection we are equal to the angels and are children of God. God is the God of the living and not of the dead, "For to him all of them are alive"(Lk 20:38). This means that those who are "dead" in our usage are "alive" to God. Death, therefore, is not the end; it is only a transformation. "We will all be changed, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed" (1 Cor. 15:52).

St Paul too affirms this fact. "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's"(Rom14:8). Whether we are alive or dead we are the Lord's possession and are with him. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches (Jn 15:5). He is the head and we are the members of his body (1Cor 12:12). Jesus, who is the head, lives forever through his resurrection as the Lord of life and death. We, the members also live forever, whether we are alive or dead. St Paul, therefore, said : "...to me, living is Christ and dying is gain" (Phil 1:21).

The exact nature of life after death remains inscrutable. Whatever it may be, St Paul asserts it is going to be more glorious than the present life- something the human eye has not seen, nor the human ear has heard nor the heart of man ever enjoyed. It is like the seed that falls on the ground, dies and sprouts forth as something new. "So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power" (I Cor. 15:42-43).

For these reasons St Paul advises us not to grieve over the dead as gentiles do (1 Thes 4:13). Those who believe in Christ have a strong, clear hope in regard to the dead. Fear of death, and grief over the deceased do not overcome them. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-they comfort me" (Ps 23:4). Yes, for God all are alive; those who are living and those who are dead.