Daily Readings - Tue Apr 17 2018
Acts
51"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.52Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered,53you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it."54Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.55But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and 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."57But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.58Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.59And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."60And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
John
30So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?31Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"32Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."34They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."35Jesus 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 profound moments of faith and sacrifice. From Acts, Stephen, a deacon in the early Christian church, faces martyrdom for his unwavering commitment to the Gospel. Despite the hostility, Stephen forgives his persecutors, echoing Christ's words on the cross. This act highlights the transformative power of faith and forgiveness in the face of adversity.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes Himself as the "bread of life," offering spiritual nourishment that transcends physical hunger. This teaching follows the feeding of the 5000, where Jesus demonstrated His divine provision. Here, He invites us to seek a deeper connection with God, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from trusting in Him.
These readings remind us to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with challenges. Like Stephen, we are called to forgive and trust in God's plan. Jesus' words encourage us to seek spiritual sustenance daily, nurturing our souls through prayer and reflection. May we embrace this call to live with integrity and compassion, trusting in God's providence.