Daily Readings - Tue Apr 16 2024
Acts
51"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him--53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
John
30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."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.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, persecution, and the true nourishment of our souls. The first reading from Acts recounts the martyrdom of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early Christian church. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, courageously proclaims his faith before the Sanhedrin, despite knowing the peril that awaits him. His unwavering commitment to Christ leads to his stoning, during which he forgives his persecutors, echoing Christ's words on the cross. This act of forgiveness and faith in the face of death highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the enduring nature of the Gospel message.
The Gospel reading from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, a theme central to the Eucharistic theology of the Church. Jesus explains that He is the true bread from heaven, surpassing the manna given to the Israelites in the desert. This bread is not merely sustenance for the body but spiritual nourishment that brings eternal life. Jesus' declaration, "I am the bread of life," invites us to place our trust in Him, just as Stephen did, even in the face of adversity. This trust is not passive but active, calling us to follow Him and partake in His divine life through the Eucharist.
These readings remind us that our faith is not merely an intellectual assent but a lived commitment. Like Stephen, we are called to bear witness to Christ, even when it is challenging. Jesus, the Bread of Life, strengthens us for this journey. As we navigate the trials of our own lives, let us turn to Him, trusting in His providence and grace. May we, like Stephen, forgive those who wrong us and seek to bring them closer to Christ. In doing so, we participate in the divine life, finding true fulfillment and peace in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.