Daily Readings - Tue Jun 04 2024
2 Peter
12waiting for, and hurrying toward, the advent of the day of the Lord, by which the burning heavens shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt from the heat of the fire13Yet truly, in accord with his promises, we are looking forward to the new heavens and the new earth, in which justice lives14Therefore, most beloved, while awaiting these things, be diligent, so that you may be found to be immaculate and unassailable before him, in peace15And let the longsuffering of our Lord be considered salvation, as also our most beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you17But since you, brothers, know these things beforehand, be cautious, lest by being drawn into the error of the foolish, you may fall away from your own steadfastness18Yet truly, increase in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory, both now and in the day of eternity. Amen
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 messages that guide us in navigating our dual existence as earthly beings with a heavenly calling. The second reading from 2 Peter reminds us of the importance of patience and growth in holiness as we await the coming of the Lord. It encourages us to remain steadfast and not be swayed by the errors of the world, emphasizing that our ultimate hope lies in the promise of a new heavens and a new earth. This passage reassures early Christians, who were anxious about the delay in Christ’s return, to stay focused on their spiritual growth.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus’s wise response to a politically charged question about paying taxes. By asking whose image is on the coin, Jesus cleverly avoids the trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians, teaching a lesson about rightful obligations. This passage highlights the tension between earthly duties and divine allegiance, urging believers to fulfill their responsibilities in the world while keeping their hearts and minds focused on God.
Both readings remind us to live as citizens of two realms: the earthly and the heavenly. We are called to balance our duties in the world, such as paying taxes and working, with our commitment to grow in grace and knowledge of God. The moral lesson here is one of integrity and prioritization—fulfilling our earthly obligations while nurturing our spiritual lives. As we go about our daily tasks, we are invited to reflect on how we can live out our faith practically, ensuring that our actions and decisions honor both Caesar and God. This balance is not about compartmentalizing our lives but about integrating our faith into every aspect, making it the foundation of all we do.