Daily Readings - Wed Jun 02 2021
Mark
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 profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, suffering, and the promise of eternal life. The first reading from Tobit presents us with two figures, Tobit and Sarah, who are each enduring immense suffering. Tobit, overwhelmed by his circumstances, prays for mercy and acceptance of God's will, even if it means death. Similarly, Sarah, having lost seven husbands and facing scorn, turns to God in prayer, seeking liberation from her affliction. Both stories highlight the human experience of grappling with pain while maintaining faith in God's providence.
The Gospel reading from Mark shifts our focus to a theological debate about the resurrection. The Sadducees, skeptical of the afterlife, pose a question to Jesus about a woman who marries seven brothers, asking whose wife she would be in the resurrection. Jesus responds by clarifying that the resurrection is not a mere continuation of earthly life but a transformation. He emphasizes that in the resurrected state, we will be like angels, free from the bonds of marriage and earthly concerns. This teaching underscores the spiritual nature of eternal life and corrects the Sadducees' misunderstanding by referencing God's covenant with the patriarchs, asserting that He is the God of the living, not the dead.
These readings remind us to trust in God's mercy and providence, even in the face of suffering. Like Tobit and Sarah, we are called to perseverance and faith, knowing that our ultimate hope lies in the resurrection. Jesus teaches us that our true fulfillment is not in earthly relationships but in a spiritual existence where we live in the presence of God. As we navigate our own struggles, may we find strength in prayer and trust in God's promise of eternal life, where suffering will be transformed into joy and peace.