Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 17, 2024
First Reading: Acts 8.1b-8
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.
Psalm 66
1Shout with joy to God, all the earth!2Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!3Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.4All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." Selah5Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!6He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot- come, let us rejoice in him.7He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations- let not the rebellious rise up against him. Selah8Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;9he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.10For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.12You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.13I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you-14vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.15I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Selah16Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.17I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.18If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;19but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.20Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
Gospel: John 6.35-40
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 journey through two profound narratives that illuminate the essence of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Acts 8 describes a tumultuous period for the early Church, marked by persecution and dispersion. Yet, amidst this turmoil, the believers, empowered by their faith, continued to spread the Word of God. Philip's mission to Samaria exemplifies this, as he preached Christ and performed miracles, leading many to healing and faith. This passage underscores the resilience of the early Church, which thrived even in adversity, demonstrating that challenges can become opportunities for growth and witness.
The Gospel from John 6 shifts our focus to Jesus, who declares Himself the Bread of Life. He assures us that belief in Him will satiate our deepest hungers and quench our spiritual thirst. Jesus emphasizes His alignment with the Father's will, which is to grant eternal life to all who believe. This passage invites us to trust in Jesus as our sustenance and strength, especially in times of trial. Just as the early Christians found the courage to share their faith despite persecution, we too can draw from the eternal life offered by Christ to navigate life's challenges.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded that our faith in Jesus equips us to face any adversity with hope and perseverance. Like the early Church, we are called to share the Good News, trusting that God's will prevails. In our daily lives, let us embrace the Bread of Life, allowing His grace to sustain us and inspire us to be beacons of faith and love. May we, like Philip, step out in faith, trusting that God's power will transform lives, even in the face of difficulty.