Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 2, 2018
First Reading: Jude 1.17-25
17But as for you, most beloved, be mindful of the words which have been foretold by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ18who declared to you that, in the end time, there would arrive mockers, walking according to their own desires, in impieties19These are the ones who segregate themselves; they are animals, not having the Spirit20But you, most beloved, are building yourselves up by your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit21keeping yourselves in the love of God, and anticipating the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life22So certainly, reprove them, after they have been judged23Yet truly, save them, seizing them from the fire. And have mercy on others: in fear, hating even that which is of the flesh, the defiled garment24Then, to him who has the power to keep you free from sin and to present you, immaculate, with exultation, before the presence of his glory at the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ25to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord: to him be glory and magnificence, dominion and power, before all ages, and now, and in every age, forever. Amen
Psalm 63
1A Psalm of David, when he was in the desert of Idumea. O God, my God: to you, I keep vigil until first light. For you, my soul has thirsted, to you my body, in so many ways2By a deserted land, both inaccessible and waterless, so I have appeared in the sanctuary before you, in order to behold your virtue and your glory3For your mercy is better than life itself. It is you my lips will praise4So will I bless you in my life, and I will lift up my hands in your name5Let my soul be filled, as if with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will give praise with exultant lips6When I have remembered you on my bed in the morning, I will meditate on you7For you have been my helper. And I will exult under the cover of your wings8My soul has clung close to you. Your right hand has supported me9Truly, these ones have sought my soul in vain. They will enter into the lower parts of the earth10They will be delivered into the hand of the sword. They will be the portions of foxes11Truly, the king will rejoice in God: all those who swear by him will be praised, because the mouth of those who speak iniquity has been blocked
Gospel: Mark 11.27-33
27And they went again to Jerusalem. And when he was walking in the temple, the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, and the elders approached him28And they said to him: "By what authority do you do these things? And who has given you this authority, so that you would do these things?29But in response, Jesus said to them: "I also will ask you one word, and if you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things30The baptism of John: was it from heaven or from men? Answer me.31But they discussed it among themselves, saying: "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?32If we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people. For they all hold that John was a true prophet.33And answering, they said to Jesus, "We do not know." And in response, Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter themes of authority, faith, and discernment. The first reading from Jude urges believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst the challenges of the end times, warning against those who would lead others astray by following their own desires. Jude encourages the faithful to build themselves up in their holy faith and to show mercy to others, saving them from the influences of sin. The Gospel from Mark presents a confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders, who question His authority. Jesus responds by questioning the origin of John the Baptist’s authority, leaving the leaders in a dilemma, unable to answer without exposing their own hypocrisy.
These readings invite us to reflect on the nature of authority and our response to it. In Jude, we see a call to trust in God’s authority and to live out our faith with courage and compassion. In Mark, Jesus challenges the leaders—and us—to examine the source of true authority. The leaders’ inability to answer Jesus’ question reveals their lack of faith and their reliance on human approval rather than divine truth. Together, the readings remind us that true authority comes from God, and we must discern carefully where we place our trust.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are called to remain rooted in our faith, even when faced with challenges or uncertainties. We must be mindful of the influences around us and strive to live in accordance with God’s will. Like Jude, we are encouraged to pray in the Holy Spirit and to keep ourselves in God’s love. Let us also learn from Jesus’ example, standing firm in our commitment to the truth, even when it is difficult. May we seek to build up one another in faith and to serve as instruments of God’s mercy in a world that often rejects His authority.