Daily Readings - Mon May 05 2025

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 profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, integrity, and our spiritual journey. The first reading from Acts 6:8-15 introduces us to Stephen, a man filled with grace and fortitude, who performs miracles and preaches with wisdom. Despite his virtuous deeds, he faces opposition from those who cannot refute his message, leading to false accusations and his eventual martyrdom. His serene demeanor, likened to the face of an angel, underscores his unwavering faith in the face of adversity. In the Gospel of John 6:22-29, Jesus addresses a crowd that followed him after the feeding of the five thousand. He reveals that their pursuit is driven by physical satisfaction rather than a deeper faith. Jesus redirects their focus, emphasizing the importance of seeking eternal life through belief in him. This exchange highlights the distinction between temporary earthly gains and the enduring spiritual nourishment offered by Christ. These readings connect through themes of standing firm in faith amidst challenges and seeking more than superficial fulfillment. Stephen’s courage in the face of false accusations mirrors Jesus’ call to look beyond the physical to the eternal. Both narratives remind us to stay grounded in our faith, even when faced with opposition or when our motivations are tested. In our daily lives, these lessons encourage us to remain steadfast in our beliefs and to seek deeper spiritual meaning. Just as Stephen’s integrity shone through his trials, we too can face challenges with grace. Like the crowd in John’s Gospel, we are reminded to look beyond immediate gratification and nurture our spiritual hunger. The moral lesson here is one of integrity and focus—urging us to pursue eternal values over fleeting concerns, trusting in God’s plan and seeking nourishment for our souls.