Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 3, 2021
First Reading: Tobit 4.20; 5.4; 6.10-11b; 7.1, 9-16; 8.1, 4-9
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Psalm 128
1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.5The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.6Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
Gospel: Mark 12.28-34
28And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.32And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.34And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
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.