Daily Readings - Thu Jun 03 2021
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 lessons about love and faith. The story of Tobias and Sarah from the Book of Tobit illustrates a marriage rooted in prayer and trust in God. With the guidance of an angel, Tobias and Sarah commit to each other, dedicating their union to God through heartfelt prayers. This narrative highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance and maintaining fidelity in relationships.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This exchange with a scribe underscores that true devotion to God is inseparable from our treatment of others. Jesus' words remind us that love is the cornerstone of our faith, transcending even sacrifices and rituals.
These readings beautifully intertwine, showing that all love—whether romantic or fraternal—should be grounded in our love for God. Just as Tobias and Sarah prayed together, we too are called to integrate faith into our relationships and actions. Let us strive to embody Jesus' teachings by prioritizing love for God and neighbor, allowing this divine love to guide our commitments and interactions in daily life.