Daily Readings - Wed Jun 06 2018

¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,²To Timothy, my beloved child:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.³I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.⁶For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,⁷for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,¹⁰and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,¹¹for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,¹²which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

Mark

Chapter 12

¹⁸And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying,¹⁹"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.²⁰There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring.²¹And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise.²²And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died.²³In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife."²⁴Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?²⁵For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.²⁶And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?²⁷He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong."

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to embrace our calling with courage and trust in God's grace. Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that God's power is not about fear but about virtue, love, and self-discipline. This letter, written in a time of persecution, encourages steadfastness in our faith, knowing that our ultimate hope is in eternal life through Christ. The Gospel from Mark presents a dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees, who question the concept of resurrection. Jesus responds by clarifying that life after death transcends earthly marriage, drawing on the example of Moses to affirm that God is the God of the living. This exchange emphasizes trusting in God's plan beyond our current understanding, highlighting the promise of eternal life. Both readings intertwine themes of faith and trust in God's power. Paul's exhortation to Timothy and Jesus' teaching on resurrection remind us to face life's challenges with courage and hope. They encourage us to trust in God's grace and promises, understanding that our true home is in eternal life with Him. Let us live each day with faith, knowing that God's power guides us through all trials, and our ultimate hope is in His eternal embrace.