Daily Readings - Tue Jun 02 2020
2 Peter
12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!13But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.14Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.15And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
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 are reminded of the delicate balance between our earthly responsibilities and our heavenly aspirations. The second reading from 2 Peter encourages us to live with hope and diligence, awaiting the promise of a new heavens and a new earth. It reminds us that while we journey through this life, we must grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus being tested with a question about taxes, to which He responds by distinguishing between what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God. His answer underscores the importance of fulfilling our earthly duties while remaining steadfast in our devotion to God.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian experience. Peter’s letter addresses a community awaiting the Lord’s return, urging them to live virtuously and remain faithful despite the challenges of the present age. Mark’s Gospel, on the other hand, captures a moment where Jesus is confronted by those seeking to trap Him with a politically charged question. His response not only defuses the tension but also provides a timeless principle for living as disciples in a world that often demands our allegiance.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we navigate the dual realities of our lives. We are called to be responsible citizens in the world, fulfilling our obligations and contributing to the common good. At the same time, we are called to be faithful followers of Christ, prioritizing His will and living in a way that reflects His love and justice. The moral lesson here is clear: our ultimate allegiance is to God, but this does not excuse us from engaging with the world around us. Rather, it should inspire us to live with integrity, rendering to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.
As we apply this to our daily lives, let us strive to live in such a way that our faith informs every aspect of our existence. May we be diligent in growing closer to Christ, even as we fulfill our duties in the world. May we remember that our true citizenship is in heaven, and may we live in a way that reflects the hope and joy of that eternal promise.