Daily Readings - Mon Apr 16 2018
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and our relationship with God. The first reading from Acts 6:8-15 introduces us to Stephen, a man filled with grace and fortitude, whose miracles and wisdom stir both admiration and opposition. Despite the false accusations against him, Stephen stands firm, his face radiant like an angel, embodying the peace that comes from unwavering faith. This passage reminds us that living a life of faith can sometimes lead to challenges, but it is in these moments that our true character and commitment to God are revealed.
In the Gospel from John 6:22-29, Jesus addresses a crowd that seeks him not because of his signs, but because he satisfied their physical hunger. Jesus redirects their focus from perishable food to eternal life, emphasizing the importance of believing in him. The crowd's question, "What should we do to labor in the works of God?" is met with a simple yet profound response: "Believe in him whom he sent." This exchange underscores the heart of our faith—trusting in Jesus and seeking spiritual nourishment that transcends the temporal.
These readings intertwine to teach us about standing firm in faith amidst adversity and seeking a deeper spiritual connection. Like Stephen, we are called to remain steadfast, even when faced with opposition, trusting that God's grace will sustain us. Like the crowd in the Gospel, we are invited to move beyond superficial seeking and instead, cultivate a faith that nourishes our souls. May we embrace the challenges of our faith journey with courage and seek the eternal life that only Jesus can offer, remembering that true fulfillment comes from believing in him.