Daily Readings - Wed Jun 07 2023
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 profound narratives that guide us in navigating life's challenges with faith and trust in God. The first reading from Tobit presents us with Tobit and Sarah, both enduring immense suffering. Tobit, burdened by blindness and sorrow, and Sarah, grappling with the loss of seven husbands and ensuing shame, each turn to God in their darkest moments. Their prayers exemplify unwavering faith, seeking deliverance and mercy from God.
The Gospel reading from Mark features the Sadducees questioning Jesus about the resurrection. They pose a complex scenario involving seven brothers and a woman, inquiring whose wife she would be in the resurrection. Jesus' response transforms their earthly perspective, explaining that resurrection life transcends marriage, likening it to the angels. He underscores God's role as the God of the living, referencing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thus correcting their misunderstanding.
These readings intertwine themes of suffering, faith, and trust in God. Tobit and Sarah's stories highlight perseverance amidst adversity, while Jesus' teaching reveals the eternal nature of life with God. Together, they remind us to trust God's plan, even in suffering, and to focus on spiritual growth. The moral lesson is clear: maintain faith, trust in God's mercy, and recognize that our true life is eternal. Let us pray fervently and trust in God's promises, even when immediate results are unseen.