Daily Readings - Tue Jun 06 2017
Mark
13And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.14And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?15Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.16And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.17And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons on faith and duty. The first reading from Tobit tells the story of a man who, despite his fears and the king's decree, chooses to honor God by burying the dead. His faith is tested when he becomes blind, yet he remains steadfast, exemplifying patience and trust in God's plan. This narrative reminds us that true faith endures even in the face of adversity, much like the story of Job.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus being questioned about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' response, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's," teaches us about balancing our earthly duties with our spiritual commitments. This lesson emphasizes that our faith should guide our actions in all aspects of life, whether in our obligations to the state or in our devotion to God.
These readings together remind us to trust in God's providence, even when faced with challenges. Like Tobit, we must remain faithful and patient, and like Jesus' teaching, we should strive to fulfill our duties while keeping God at the center of our lives. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should be our compass, guiding us to trust God and balance our responsibilities with our spiritual commitments.