Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 6, 2023
First Reading: Tobit 2.9-14 – 3.1
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Psalm 112
1Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.2His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.3Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.4Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.8His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.10The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Gospel: Mark 12.13-17
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 integrity. The first reading from Tobit portrays a man of unwavering faith despite suffering. Tobit, though afflicted with blindness and faced with his wife's doubt, remains steadfast in his devotion to God, exemplifying patience and trust. His story reminds us that true faith endures even in the darkest times, teaching us to maintain our commitment to God amidst life's challenges.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus being tested by the Pharisees regarding taxes. Jesus' response, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's," highlights the balance between earthly responsibilities and spiritual duties. This wisdom encourages us to fulfill our obligations in the world while keeping our focus on divine priorities.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on faith and integrity. Tobit's patience and Jesus' wisdom show us how to navigate life's difficulties with trust in God. Applying this to our lives, we are called to remain faithful during hardships and to act with honesty in all aspects of life, whether spiritual or worldly. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God and live with integrity, ensuring our actions reflect both our earthly duties and our spiritual devotion.