Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 8, 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of love and fidelity, both in our relationship with God and in our relationships with one another. In the first reading from the Book of Tobit, we witness the story of Tobias and Sarah, a young couple whose union is blessed by God. The narrative emphasizes the importance of prayer, trust in God’s providence, and the sacredness of marriage. Tobias and Sarah’s commitment to one another is not merely a human arrangement but a divine vocation, sealed in faith and strengthened by their prayers together. This passage reminds us that our relationships are not just earthly endeavors but are deeply connected to our spiritual lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the two greatest commandments: loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. These commandments are not separate but intertwined, for we cannot truly love God without loving those around us. The scribe in the Gospel recognizes the truth of Jesus’ words, acknowledging that love for God and neighbor surpasses even the sacrifices of the Temple. This exchange highlights the simplicity and profundity of God’s will for us: to live in love.
These readings call us to examine how we live out the commandments of love in our daily lives. Like Tobias and Sarah, we are invited to trust in God’s plan and to seek His blessing in all our relationships. Like the scribe, we are reminded that love is the heart of the law. Let us ask ourselves: Do we prioritize love in our interactions with others? Do we seek to serve and care for those around us? May we, like Tobias and Sarah, pray together and build our lives on the foundation of faith and love. And may we, like the scribe, draw closer to the kingdom of God by living out the truth of these commandments.