Daily Readings - Wed Jun 07 2023
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 guide us in navigating life's challenges with faith and trust in God. The first reading from Tobit presents us with Tobit and Sarah, both enduring immense suffering. Tobit, burdened by blindness and sorrow, and Sarah, grappling with the loss of seven husbands and ensuing shame, each turn to God in their darkest moments. Their prayers exemplify unwavering faith, seeking deliverance and mercy from God.
The Gospel reading from Mark features the Sadducees questioning Jesus about the resurrection. They pose a complex scenario involving seven brothers and a woman, inquiring whose wife she would be in the resurrection. Jesus' response transforms their earthly perspective, explaining that resurrection life transcends marriage, likening it to the angels. He underscores God's role as the God of the living, referencing Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thus correcting their misunderstanding.
These readings intertwine themes of suffering, faith, and trust in God. Tobit and Sarah's stories highlight perseverance amidst adversity, while Jesus' teaching reveals the eternal nature of life with God. Together, they remind us to trust God's plan, even in suffering, and to focus on spiritual growth. The moral lesson is clear: maintain faith, trust in God's mercy, and recognize that our true life is eternal. Let us pray fervently and trust in God's promises, even when immediate results are unseen.