Daily Readings - Tue Apr 16 2024
Acts
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.
John
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 profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, persecution, and the true nourishment of our souls. The first reading from Acts recounts the martyrdom of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early Christian church. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, courageously proclaims his faith before the Sanhedrin, despite knowing the peril that awaits him. His unwavering commitment to Christ leads to his stoning, during which he forgives his persecutors, echoing Christ's words on the cross. This act of forgiveness and faith in the face of death highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the enduring nature of the Gospel message.
The Gospel reading from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, a theme central to the Eucharistic theology of the Church. Jesus explains that He is the true bread from heaven, surpassing the manna given to the Israelites in the desert. This bread is not merely sustenance for the body but spiritual nourishment that brings eternal life. Jesus' declaration, "I am the bread of life," invites us to place our trust in Him, just as Stephen did, even in the face of adversity. This trust is not passive but active, calling us to follow Him and partake in His divine life through the Eucharist.
These readings remind us that our faith is not merely an intellectual assent but a lived commitment. Like Stephen, we are called to bear witness to Christ, even when it is challenging. Jesus, the Bread of Life, strengthens us for this journey. As we navigate the trials of our own lives, let us turn to Him, trusting in His providence and grace. May we, like Stephen, forgive those who wrong us and seek to bring them closer to Christ. In doing so, we participate in the divine life, finding true fulfillment and peace in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.