Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 1, 2021
First Reading: Tobit 2.9-14 – 3.1
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Psalm 112
1Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.2His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.3Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.4Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.5Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.6Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.7He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.8His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.9He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.10The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Gospel: Mark 12.13-17
13Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.14They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?15Should we pay or shouldn't we?"16But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?Caesar's," they replied.17Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about faith, integrity, and trust in God’s providence. The first reading from the Book of Tobit presents us with a man who, despite suffering blindness and mockery from his family, remains steadfast in his faith and commitment to God. Tobit’s story is one of patience and perseverance, as he continues to live a life of virtue even in the face of great trial. His wife’s frustration and doubt contrast sharply with his unwavering trust in God, showing us how difficult it can be to hold onto faith when circumstances seem to contradict our hopes.
In the Gospel, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and Herodians, who attempt to trap him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” is a masterful teaching that transcends the political manipulation of his questioners. He reminds us that our lives must be lived in balance—honoring our earthly responsibilities while never forgetting that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. This teaching calls us to live with integrity, ensuring that our actions reflect our values and priorities.
Both readings invite us to reflect on how we navigate the challenges of life while remaining faithful to God. Tobit’s patience and Jesus’ wisdom remind us that our trust in God’s plan must guide us, even when the world around us seems to contradict our beliefs. In our daily lives, we are called to live with integrity, balancing our responsibilities in the world while keeping our hearts and minds focused on God. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s providence, even when the road ahead seems uncertain, and to live in a way that reflects our ultimate allegiance to Him.