Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 5, 2025
First Reading: Acts 6.8-15
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.
Psalm 119
1ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.3They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.8I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.9BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.12Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.17GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.19I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.20My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.21Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.22Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.23Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.25DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.26I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.27Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.28My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.29Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.30I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.31I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.33HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.34Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.38Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.39Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.41VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.42So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.44So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.45And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.46I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.48My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.49ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.50This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.52I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.54Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.55I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.56This I had, because I kept thy precepts.57CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.59I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.60I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.64The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.65TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.66Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.68Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.69The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.70Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.73JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.74They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.75I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.76Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.78Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.79Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.80Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.81CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.82Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.84How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?85The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.86All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.87They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.88Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.89LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.91They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.92Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.93I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.96I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.97MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.102I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.107I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.108Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.113SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.114Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.116Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.117Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.121AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.122Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.123Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.124Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.125I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.126It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.129PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.131I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.134Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.137TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.138Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.139My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.141I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.144The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.145KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.146I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.147I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.148Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.149Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.150They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.151Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.152Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.153RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.154Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.155Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.156Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.158I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.159Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.161SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.162I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.163I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.164Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.166LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.167My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.168I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.169TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.170Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.171My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.173Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.174I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Gospel: John 6.22-29
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.