Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 20, 2021
First Reading: Acts 7.51 – 8.1a
51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Psalm 31
1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Gospel: John 6.30-35
30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?31Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.32Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.33For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments in the early Christian story that invite us to reflect on faith, persecution, and the ultimate source of our strength. The first reading from Acts recounts the martyrdom of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Church. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, stands before his accusers and boldly proclaims the truth of God’s plan, even as he sees the glory of God and Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Despite the hatred and violence directed toward him, Stephen forgives his persecutors and entrusts his spirit to the Lord. His death marks the beginning of a great persecution against the Church in Jerusalem, scattering the believers but also spreading the Gospel to new regions. Meanwhile, in the Gospel, Jesus reveals himself as the “bread of life,” the true nourishment that satisfies our deepest hunger. He contrasts the manna given to the Israelites in the desert with the eternal life he offers, emphasizing that he is the gift from heaven who gives life to the world.
These readings are deeply connected. Stephen’s martyrdom exemplifies the cost of following Jesus, while Jesus’ words in the Gospel remind us of the eternal life and strength we receive through him. Stephen’s ability to forgive and trust in God, even in the face of death, flows from his belief in the risen Christ, who is the bread of life. The scattering of the early Church after Stephen’s death, though it seems like a setback, becomes the means by which the Gospel spreads. This shows us that even in times of trial, God’s plan prevails, and his Word continues to nourish and sustain his people.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult? Do we turn to Jesus, the bread of life, for the strength and grace we need to live as his disciples? Stephen’s example teaches us that faith is not about avoiding suffering but about remaining faithful and forgiving, even in the face of persecution. Jesus’ promise of eternal life reminds us that our ultimate fulfillment is not found in this world but in him. Let us strive to live with the courage and trust of Stephen, and let us seek spiritual nourishment in the bread of life, that we may bear witness to God’s love in all we do.