Daily Readings - Wed Jun 06 2018
2 Timothy
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Mark
18Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,19Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.20Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.21And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.22And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.23In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.24And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?25For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.26And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?27He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to embrace our calling with courage and trust in God's grace. Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that God's power is not about fear but about virtue, love, and self-discipline. This letter, written in a time of persecution, encourages steadfastness in our faith, knowing that our ultimate hope is in eternal life through Christ.
The Gospel from Mark presents a dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees, who question the concept of resurrection. Jesus responds by clarifying that life after death transcends earthly marriage, drawing on the example of Moses to affirm that God is the God of the living. This exchange emphasizes trusting in God's plan beyond our current understanding, highlighting the promise of eternal life.
Both readings intertwine themes of faith and trust in God's power. Paul's exhortation to Timothy and Jesus' teaching on resurrection remind us to face life's challenges with courage and hope. They encourage us to trust in God's grace and promises, understanding that our true home is in eternal life with Him. Let us live each day with faith, knowing that God's power guides us through all trials, and our ultimate hope is in His eternal embrace.