Daily Readings - Mon Apr 15 2024
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 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.