Daily Readings - Tue Jun 01 2021
Tobit
9But Tobit, fearing God more than the king, stole away the bodies of the slain and concealed them in his house, and in the middle of the night, he buried them10But it happened one day, being tired from burying the dead, he came into his house, and he threw himself down next to the wall, and he slept11And, as he was sleeping, warm droppings from a swallow’s nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind12And so the Lord permitted this trial to befall him, in order that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, which is even like that of holy Job13For, even from his infancy, he had always feared God and kept his commandments, so he was not discouraged before God because of the scourge of blindness that had befallen him14But he remained immoveable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life15For just as kings have mocked blessed Job, so also his relatives and acquaintances ridiculed his life, saying16"Where is your hope, on behalf of which you gave alms and buried the dead?17In truth, Tobit corrected them, saying: "Do not speak in this way18for we are the sons of the holy ones, and we look forward to that life which God will give to those who never change in their faith before him.19In truth, his wife Anna went out to weaving work daily, and she brought back the provisions that she was able to obtain by the labor of her hands20Whereupon it happened that, having received a young goat, she brought it home21When her husband heard the sound of its bleating, he said, "Look, so that it might not be stolen, return it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat, or to touch, anything stolen.22At this, his wife, being angry, answered, "Clearly, your hope has become vanity, and the manner of your almsgiving has become apparent.23And with these and other similar such words, she reproached him
Mark
13And they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to him, so that they might trap him with words14And these, arriving, said to him: "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and that you do not favor anyone; for you do not consider the appearance of men, but you teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give the tribute to Caesar, or should we not give it?15And knowing their skill in deception, he said to them: "Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, so that I may see it.16And they brought it to him. And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar’s.17So in response, Jesus said to them, "Then render to Caesar, the things that are of Caesar; and to God, the things that are of God." And they wondered over him
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about faith, integrity, and trust in God’s providence. The first reading from the Book of Tobit presents us with a man who, despite suffering blindness and mockery from his family, remains steadfast in his faith and commitment to God. Tobit’s story is one of patience and perseverance, as he continues to live a life of virtue even in the face of great trial. His wife’s frustration and doubt contrast sharply with his unwavering trust in God, showing us how difficult it can be to hold onto faith when circumstances seem to contradict our hopes.
In the Gospel, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and Herodians, who attempt to trap him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” is a masterful teaching that transcends the political manipulation of his questioners. He reminds us that our lives must be lived in balance—honoring our earthly responsibilities while never forgetting that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. This teaching calls us to live with integrity, ensuring that our actions reflect our values and priorities.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we navigate the challenges of life while remaining faithful to God. Tobit’s patience and Jesus’ wisdom remind us that our trust in God’s plan must guide us, even when the world around us seems to contradict our beliefs. In our daily lives, we are called to live with integrity, balancing our responsibilities in the world while keeping our hearts and minds focused on God. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s providence, even when the road ahead seems uncertain, and to live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to Him.