Daily Readings - Wed Jun 02 2021
Mark
18Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.19"Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother.20Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.21The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third.22In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too.23At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"24Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?25When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.26Now about the dead rising--have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, suffering, and the promise of eternal life. The first reading from Tobit presents us with two figures, Tobit and Sarah, who are each enduring immense suffering. Tobit, overwhelmed by his circumstances, prays for mercy and acceptance of God's will, even if it means death. Similarly, Sarah, having lost seven husbands and facing scorn, turns to God in prayer, seeking liberation from her affliction. Both stories highlight the human experience of grappling with pain while maintaining faith in God's providence.
The Gospel reading from Mark shifts our focus to a theological debate about the resurrection. The Sadducees, skeptical of the afterlife, pose a question to Jesus about a woman who marries seven brothers, asking whose wife she would be in the resurrection. Jesus responds by clarifying that the resurrection is not a mere continuation of earthly life but a transformation. He emphasizes that in the resurrected state, we will be like angels, free from the bonds of marriage and earthly concerns. This teaching underscores the spiritual nature of eternal life and corrects the Sadducees' misunderstanding by referencing God's covenant with the patriarchs, asserting that He is the God of the living, not the dead.
These readings remind us to trust in God's mercy and providence, even in the face of suffering. Like Tobit and Sarah, we are called to perseverance and faith, knowing that our ultimate hope lies in the resurrection. Jesus teaches us that our true fulfillment is not in earthly relationships but in a spiritual existence where we live in the presence of God. As we navigate our own struggles, may we find strength in prayer and trust in God's promise of eternal life, where suffering will be transformed into joy and peace.