Daily Readings - Tue Jun 06 2017
Mark
13And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk.14And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?"15But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it."16And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's."17Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and duty. The first reading from Tobit tells the story of a man who, despite his fears and the king's decree, chooses to honor God by burying the dead. His faith is tested when he becomes blind, yet he remains steadfast, exemplifying patience and trust in God's plan. This narrative reminds us that true faith endures even in the face of adversity, much like the story of Job.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus being questioned 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," teaches us about balancing our earthly duties with our spiritual commitments. This lesson emphasizes that our faith should guide our actions in all aspects of life, whether in our obligations to the state or in our devotion to God.
These readings together remind us to trust in God's providence, even when faced with challenges. Like Tobit, we must remain faithful and patient, and like Jesus' teaching, we should strive to fulfill our duties while keeping God at the center of our lives. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should be our compass, guiding us to trust God and balance our responsibilities with our spiritual commitments.