Daily Readings - Tue Jun 04 2024
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 encounter two powerful messages that guide us in navigating our dual existence as earthly beings with a heavenly calling. The second reading from 2 Peter reminds us of the importance of patience and growth in holiness as we await the coming of the Lord. It encourages us to remain steadfast and not be swayed by the errors of the world, emphasizing that our ultimate hope lies in the promise of a new heavens and a new earth. This passage reassures early Christians, who were anxious about the delay in Christ’s return, to stay focused on their spiritual growth.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus’s wise response to a politically charged question about paying taxes. By asking whose image is on the coin, Jesus cleverly avoids the trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians, teaching a lesson about rightful obligations. This passage highlights the tension between earthly duties and divine allegiance, urging believers to fulfill their responsibilities in the world while keeping their hearts and minds focused on God.
Both readings remind us to live as citizens of two realms: the earthly and the heavenly. We are called to balance our duties in the world, such as paying taxes and working, with our commitment to grow in grace and knowledge of God. The moral lesson here is one of integrity and prioritization—fulfilling our earthly obligations while nurturing our spiritual lives. As we go about our daily tasks, we are invited to reflect on how we can live out our faith practically, ensuring that our actions and decisions honor both Caesar and God. This balance is not about compartmentalizing our lives but about integrating our faith into every aspect, making it the foundation of all we do.