Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 9, 2017
First Reading: Tobit 11.5-15
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Psalm 146
1Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.2I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.3Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.4When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.5Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,6the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them- the LORD, who remains faithful forever.7He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free,8the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.9The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.10The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 12.35-37
35While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David?36David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."'37David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?" The large crowd listened to him with delight.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of faith, healing, and the revelation of God’s plan. In the first reading from Tobit, we witness the dramatic healing of Tobit’s blindness. Tobias, guided by the angel Raphael, trustingly follows the instructions he has been given, anointing his father’s eyes with the gall of the fish. This act of faith leads to a miraculous restoration of sight, not only physically but also spiritually, as Tobit rejoices in the blessings of God. The story reminds us that faith and obedience can lead to profound healing and renewal in our lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the understanding of the scribes regarding the Messiah. He points out that if David calls the Messiah “Lord,” how can the Messiah also be considered David’s son? This question highlights the mystery of Jesus’ identity as both fully human and fully divine. The passage invites us to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is—the Son of David and the Son of God. It encourages us to move beyond superficial understandings of faith and to embrace the fullness of God’s revelation in Christ.
Today’s readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear, and to seek a deeper understanding of Jesus’ identity. Like Tobias, we are invited to act with faith, even in the face of uncertainty, knowing that God can bring light and healing into our lives. And like the crowd in the temple, we are called to listen to Jesus’ teachings and to allow His words to transform our hearts and minds. May we, through faith and reflection, come to see more clearly the presence of God in our lives and the truth of who Jesus is for us.