Daily Readings - Mon May 01 2017
Acts
8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen,10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.13They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
John
22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.25When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"26Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, perseverance, and our ultimate purpose as followers of Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we encounter Stephen, a man filled with grace and courage, who performs great signs and miracles. 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, where he stands firm in his faith, even in the face of hostility. Stephen’s story reminds us that living a life of faith often means facing challenges and misunderstandings, but we must remain steadfast in our commitment to God’s truth.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses a crowd that has followed him after being fed miraculously. He challenges them to look beyond the physical bread that satisfied their hunger and to seek instead the “bread that endures to eternal life.” Jesus emphasizes that true fulfillment comes not from worldly comforts but from a deep relationship with God. The crowd asks, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus responds simply: “Believe in the one he sent.” This exchange underscores the heart of our faith—trust in God and trust in Jesus, whom He has sent to guide us.
These readings are connected by the theme of faith amidst adversity and the call to seek what truly lasts. Stephen’s courage in the face of persecution and Jesus’ invitation to seek eternal life remind us that our ultimate goal is not comfort or ease but a life rooted in faith and trust in God. In our daily lives, we may face challenges or be tempted to focus on temporary satisfactions. Let us remember to stay grounded in our faith, to seek the bread that truly satisfies, and to trust in God’s plan, even when the path is difficult. May we, like Stephen, remain steadfast in our commitment to the truth, and may we, like the crowd, hunger for the eternal life that only Jesus can give.