Daily Readings - Sat Jun 10 2023

Mark

38And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,39And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:40Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.41And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.43And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Sermon

The readings today remind us of the power of faith and the importance of living a life rooted in humility and generosity. In the first reading from Tobit, we see how Tobit and his son Tobias express profound gratitude to Raphael, the angel who has guided and protected them. Raphael, however, redirects their thanks to God, emphasizing that true blessings come from Him. He also shares a profound truth: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not just acts of devotion but ways to deepen our relationship with God and find mercy and eternal life. Raphael’s words call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in our daily lives. In the Gospel, Jesus warns against the hypocrisy of those who seek recognition and power, while he praises the humility and generosity of a poor widow. The widow, though she had very little, gave everything she had to live on. Her small offering, Jesus says, is greater than the large sums given by the wealthy because it came from a place of deep sacrifice and trust in God. This teaches us that true generosity is not measured by how much we have but by how much we are willing to give from the heart. Both readings challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we living with genuine faith, or are we caught up in appearances? Do we give from our abundance, or do we give sacrificially, trusting that God will provide? Let us take to heart the lessons of Tobit and the widow. May we cultivate a deeper relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and acts of love for others. And may we remember that true greatness in God’s eyes is not found in wealth or status but in humility, generosity, and a heart that trusts in Him completely.