Daily Readings - Tue Jun 04 2024
2 Peter
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Mark
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 powerful messages that guide us in navigating our dual existence as earthly beings with a heavenly calling. The second reading from 2 Peter reminds us of the importance of patience and growth in holiness as we await the coming of the Lord. It encourages us to remain steadfast and not be swayed by the errors of the world, emphasizing that our ultimate hope lies in the promise of a new heavens and a new earth. This passage reassures early Christians, who were anxious about the delay in Christ’s return, to stay focused on their spiritual growth.
The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus’s wise response to a politically charged question about paying taxes. By asking whose image is on the coin, Jesus cleverly avoids the trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians, teaching a lesson about rightful obligations. This passage highlights the tension between earthly duties and divine allegiance, urging believers to fulfill their responsibilities in the world while keeping their hearts and minds focused on God.
Both readings remind us to live as citizens of two realms: the earthly and the heavenly. We are called to balance our duties in the world, such as paying taxes and working, with our commitment to grow in grace and knowledge of God. The moral lesson here is one of integrity and prioritization—fulfilling our earthly obligations while nurturing our spiritual lives. As we go about our daily tasks, we are invited to reflect on how we can live out our faith practically, ensuring that our actions and decisions honor both Caesar and God. This balance is not about compartmentalizing our lives but about integrating our faith into every aspect, making it the foundation of all we do.