Daily Readings - Thu Jun 07 2018
2 Timothy
8Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the offspring of David, has risen again from the dead, according to my Gospel9I labor in this Gospel, even while chained like an evildoer. But the Word of God is not bound10I endure all things for this reason: for the sake of the elect, so that they, too, may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory11It is a faithful saying: that if we have died with him, we will also live with him12If we suffer, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us13If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful: he is not able to deny himself14Insist on these things, testifying before the Lord. Do not be contentious about words, for this is useful for nothing but the subversion of listeners15Be solicitous in the task of presenting yourself before God as a proven and unashamed worker who has handled the Word of Truth correctly
Mark
28And one of the scribes, who had heard them arguing, drew near to him. And seeing that he had answered them well, he questioned him as to which was the first commandment of all29And Jesus answered him: "For the first commandment of all is this: ‘Listen, O Israel. The Lord your God is one God30And you shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart, and from your whole soul, and from your whole mind, and from your whole strength. This is the first commandment.31But the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.32And the scribe said to him: Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth that there is one God, and there is no other beside him33and that he should be loved from the whole heart, and from the whole understanding, and from the whole soul, and from the whole strength. And to love one’s neighbor as one’s self is greater than all holocausts and sacrifices.34And Jesus, seeing that he had responded wisely, said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that, no one dared to question him
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith and love. The second reading from 2 Timothy reminds us of the importance of enduring suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Paul, despite being chained, remains steadfast in his faith, emphasizing that the Word of God cannot be bound. He encourages Timothy to be a faithful worker, handling the Word of Truth with integrity. This letter serves as a testament to the resilience required in spreading God’s message, even in the face of adversity.
In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus engages with a scribe, outlining the greatest commandments: loving God with all our being and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This exchange highlights the essence of our faith, which is rooted in love. The scribe’s positive response earns Jesus’ praise, indicating that understanding and living these commandments brings us closer to the Kingdom of God.
These readings intertwine the themes of faithfulness and love. Paul’s perseverance in the face of hardship mirrors Jesus’ teachings on love. Both emphasize commitment to our faith and compassion towards others. In our daily lives, this means standing firm in our beliefs, even when challenged, and expressing love through our actions. Whether it’s a kind gesture or standing up for what is right, we reflect God’s love.
As we reflect on these teachings, let us strive to embody unwavering faith and selfless love. May our actions and commitments be a testament to God’s enduring love, guiding us to live faithfully and compassionately in His light.