Daily Readings - Wed May 04 2022
Acts
1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.2On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.7With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.8So there was great joy in that city.
John
35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Acts describes a time of great turmoil for the early Church, as persecution leads to the dispersion of believers. Yet, amidst this chaos, the Gospel spreads as Philip preaches in Samaria, performing miracles and bringing many to faith. This shows us that even in adversity, God's work flourishes. The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, emphasizing that faith in Him leads to eternal life and fulfillment of the Father's will.
The context of Acts is set just after Stephen's martyrdom, a pivotal moment that intensifies persecution but paradoxically accelerates the spread of Christianity. In John, Jesus' discourse occurs after feeding the multitude, highlighting His divine role as the sustainer of both body and soul. Both readings underscore the theme of spiritual nourishment and the unstoppable nature of God's plan.
Reflecting on these passages, we are reminded that challenges in our lives do not hinder God's work but can be opportunities for growth. Like the early Christians, we should trust in God's providence and remain faithful in sharing the Gospel. Jesus, as the Bread of Life, sustains us, giving us the strength to persevere and spread His message. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and remain steadfast in your faith, for it is through Him that we find true life and purpose.