Daily Readings - Thu Jun 06 2024
2 Timothy
8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Mark
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
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the enduring power of faith and love. The first reading from 2 Timothy emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, urging us to remain faithful and steadfast in our commitment to the Gospel. Paul’s words remind us that our suffering can have meaning when it is endured for the sake of others and for the sake of the truth. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the heart of God’s commandments: love. Jesus teaches us that the greatest commandment is to love God with our whole being, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commandments are inseparable, for love of God cannot exist without love of neighbor, and vice versa.
The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on the transformative power of love and faith. In 2 Timothy, Paul’s endurance in the face of suffering is rooted in his love for the elect and his fidelity to the Gospel. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that love is the very essence of God’s law. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about enduring hardships but also about living out the love that God has poured into our hearts. True faith is not passive; it is active in loving God and neighbor, even when it is difficult.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we endure trials in our own lives? Do we see them as opportunities to grow in faith and love? And how do we love those around us? Do we love with the same intensity and completeness that Jesus commands? Let us strive to live out our faith with courage and love, knowing that it is through these virtues that we draw closer to God and become the people He has called us to be.