Daily Readings - Mon May 05 2025
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 faith, integrity, and our spiritual journey. The first reading from Acts 6:8-15 introduces us to Stephen, a man filled with grace and fortitude, who performs miracles and preaches with wisdom. Despite his virtuous deeds, he faces opposition from those who cannot refute his message, leading to false accusations and his eventual martyrdom. His serene demeanor, likened to the face of an angel, underscores his unwavering faith in the face of adversity.
In the Gospel of John 6:22-29, Jesus addresses a crowd that followed him after the feeding of the five thousand. He reveals that their pursuit is driven by physical satisfaction rather than a deeper faith. Jesus redirects their focus, emphasizing the importance of seeking eternal life through belief in him. This exchange highlights the distinction between temporary earthly gains and the enduring spiritual nourishment offered by Christ.
These readings connect through themes of standing firm in faith amidst challenges and seeking more than superficial fulfillment. Stephen’s courage in the face of false accusations mirrors Jesus’ call to look beyond the physical to the eternal. Both narratives remind us to stay grounded in our faith, even when faced with opposition or when our motivations are tested.
In our daily lives, these lessons encourage us to remain steadfast in our beliefs and to seek deeper spiritual meaning. Just as Stephen’s integrity shone through his trials, we too can face challenges with grace. Like the crowd in John’s Gospel, we are reminded to look beyond immediate gratification and nurture our spiritual hunger. The moral lesson here is one of integrity and focus—urging us to pursue eternal values over fleeting concerns, trusting in God’s plan and seeking nourishment for our souls.