Daily Readings - Mon Apr 15 2024
Acts
8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.11Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."12And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,13and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us."15And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
John
22On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.23Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.24So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.25When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"26Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.27Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."28Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"29Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has 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.