Daily Readings - Tue Apr 20 2021
Acts
51Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you ever resist the Holy Spirit. Just as your fathers did, so also do you do52Which of the Prophets have your fathers not persecuted? And they killed those who foretold the advent of the Just One. And you have now become the betrayers and murderers of him53You received the law by the actions of Angels, and yet you have not kept it.54Then, upon hearing these things, they were deeply wounded in their hearts, and they gnashed their teeth at him55But he, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and gazing intently toward heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."57Then they, crying out with a loud voice, blocked their ears and, with one accord, rushed violently toward him58And driving him out, beyond the city, they stoned him. And witnesses placed their garments beside the feet of a youth, who was called Saul59And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.60Then, having been brought to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his murder
John
30And so they said to him: "Then what sign will you do, so that we may see it and believe in you? What will you work31Our fathers ate manna in the desert, just as it has been written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ 32Therefore, Jesus said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you, Moses did not give you bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven33For the bread of God is he who descends from heaven and gives life to the world.34And so they said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always.35Then Jesus said to them: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments in the early Christian story that invite us to reflect on faith, persecution, and the ultimate source of our strength. The first reading from Acts recounts the martyrdom of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Church. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, stands before his accusers and boldly proclaims the truth of God’s plan, even as he sees the glory of God and Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Despite the hatred and violence directed toward him, Stephen forgives his persecutors and entrusts his spirit to the Lord. His death marks the beginning of a great persecution against the Church in Jerusalem, scattering the believers but also spreading the Gospel to new regions. Meanwhile, in the Gospel, Jesus reveals himself as the “bread of life,” the true nourishment that satisfies our deepest hunger. He contrasts the manna given to the Israelites in the desert with the eternal life he offers, emphasizing that he is the gift from heaven who gives life to the world.
These readings are deeply connected. Stephen’s martyrdom exemplifies the cost of following Jesus, while Jesus’ words in the Gospel remind us of the eternal life and strength we receive through him. Stephen’s ability to forgive and trust in God, even in the face of death, flows from his belief in the risen Christ, who is the bread of life. The scattering of the early Church after Stephen’s death, though it seems like a setback, becomes the means by which the Gospel spreads. This shows us that even in times of trial, God’s plan prevails, and his Word continues to nourish and sustain his people.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult? Do we turn to Jesus, the bread of life, for the strength and grace we need to live as his disciples? Stephen’s example teaches us that faith is not about avoiding suffering but about remaining faithful and forgiving, even in the face of persecution. Jesus’ promise of eternal life reminds us that our ultimate fulfillment is not found in this world but in him. Let us strive to live with the courage and trust of Stephen, and let us seek spiritual nourishment in the bread of life, that we may bear witness to God’s love in all we do.