Daily Readings - Thu Jun 07 2018
2 Timothy
8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel,9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;13if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself.14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Mark
28And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?"29Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'31The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."32And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.33And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."34And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
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.