Daily Readings - Wed May 04 2022
Acts
1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.8And there was great joy in that city.
John
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.36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Acts describes a time of great turmoil for the early Church, as persecution leads to the dispersion of believers. Yet, amidst this chaos, the Gospel spreads as Philip preaches in Samaria, performing miracles and bringing many to faith. This shows us that even in adversity, God's work flourishes. The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, emphasizing that faith in Him leads to eternal life and fulfillment of the Father's will.
The context of Acts is set just after Stephen's martyrdom, a pivotal moment that intensifies persecution but paradoxically accelerates the spread of Christianity. In John, Jesus' discourse occurs after feeding the multitude, highlighting His divine role as the sustainer of both body and soul. Both readings underscore the theme of spiritual nourishment and the unstoppable nature of God's plan.
Reflecting on these passages, we are reminded that challenges in our lives do not hinder God's work but can be opportunities for growth. Like the early Christians, we should trust in God's providence and remain faithful in sharing the Gospel. Jesus, as the Bread of Life, sustains us, giving us the strength to persevere and spread His message. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and remain steadfast in your faith, for it is through Him that we find true life and purpose.