Daily Readings - Mon Apr 16 2018
Acts
8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
John
22The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;23Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.25And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?26Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and our relationship with God. The first reading from Acts 6:8-15 introduces us to Stephen, a man filled with grace and fortitude, whose miracles and wisdom stir both admiration and opposition. Despite the false accusations against him, Stephen stands firm, his face radiant like an angel, embodying the peace that comes from unwavering faith. This passage reminds us that living a life of faith can sometimes lead to challenges, but it is in these moments that our true character and commitment to God are revealed.
In the Gospel from John 6:22-29, Jesus addresses a crowd that seeks him not because of his signs, but because he satisfied their physical hunger. Jesus redirects their focus from perishable food to eternal life, emphasizing the importance of believing in him. The crowd's question, "What should we do to labor in the works of God?" is met with a simple yet profound response: "Believe in him whom he sent." This exchange underscores the heart of our faith—trusting in Jesus and seeking spiritual nourishment that transcends the temporal.
These readings intertwine to teach us about standing firm in faith amidst adversity and seeking a deeper spiritual connection. Like Stephen, we are called to remain steadfast, even when faced with opposition, trusting that God's grace will sustain us. Like the crowd in the Gospel, we are invited to move beyond superficial seeking and instead, cultivate a faith that nourishes our souls. May we embrace the challenges of our faith journey with courage and seek the eternal life that only Jesus can offer, remembering that true fulfillment comes from believing in him.