Daily Readings - Mon Apr 15 2024

⁸Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people⁹But certain ones, from the synagogue of the so-called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those who were from Cilicia and Asia rose up and were disputing with Stephen¹⁰But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking¹¹Then they suborned men who were to claim that they had heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and against God¹²And thus did they stir up the people and the elders and the scribes. And hurrying together, they seized him and brought him to the council¹³And they set up false witnesses, who said: "This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law¹⁴For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the traditions, which Moses handed down to us.¹⁵And all those who were sitting in the council, gazing at him, saw his face, as if it had become the face of an Angel

John

Chapter 6

²²On the next day, the crowd which was standing across the sea saw that there were no other small boats in that place, except one, and that Jesus had not entered into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had departed alone²³Yet truly, other boats came over from Tiberias, next to the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord gave thanks²⁴Therefore, when the crowd had seen that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they climbed into the small boats, and they went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus²⁵And when they had found him across the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?²⁶Jesus answered them and said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen signs, but because you have eaten from the bread and were satisfied²⁷Do not work for food that perishes, but for that which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.²⁸Therefore, they said to him, "What should we do, so that we may labor in the works of God?²⁹Jesus responded and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he sent.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, perseverance, and our ultimate purpose as followers of Christ. The first reading from Acts describes Stephen, a man filled with grace and courage, who performs miracles and proclaims the truth of God. Despite his good works, he faces fierce opposition from those who cannot accept his message. They falsely accuse him of blasphemy and bring him before the council, setting the stage for his eventual martyrdom. Stephen’s story reminds us that living a life of faith often comes with challenges and even persecution, but it also shows the transformative power of grace in the face of adversity. In the Gospel, Jesus addresses a crowd that has followed him after he fed them with the miraculous loaves and fish. He reveals that their pursuit of him is driven by their desire for physical satisfaction rather than a deeper spiritual hunger. Jesus calls them to look beyond the temporary comforts of this world and to seek instead the eternal life that only he can offer. He emphasizes that true faith is not about seeking signs or material benefits but about trusting in God’s plan and believing in the One he has sent. This teaching challenges us to examine our own motivations and to focus on cultivating a relationship with God that transcends the fleeting concerns of this world. Both readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Stephen’s example encourages us to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ, even when we face opposition or misunderstanding. Jesus’ words remind us to prioritize spiritual nourishment over worldly comforts and to trust in God’s providence. As we navigate the challenges of our own lives, may we draw strength from Stephen’s courage and clarity from Jesus’ teachings. Let us strive to live with integrity, to seek God above all else, and to trust in his plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.