Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 7, 2025
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
The first reading from Acts describes a time of great trial for the early Church, as persecution forces the disciples to scatter across Judea and Samaria. Yet, even in the midst of suffering, the Gospel spreads. Philip, one of the early followers of Christ, preaches in Samaria, and the people are drawn to his message of hope and healing. The signs and miracles he performs open hearts to the Good News, showing how God’s power can transform even the most difficult circumstances. This passage reminds us that persecution and hardship do not stop the spread of the Gospel; instead, they often accelerate it.
In the Gospel, Jesus declares Himself the bread of life, promising to satisfy the deepest hungers of those who come to Him. He emphasizes that faith is a gift from the Father, and whoever believes in Him will be raised on the last day. This teaching underscores the mysterious and gracious will of God, who desires that none be lost but all have eternal life. Just as Philip in the first reading trusted in God’s plan and shared the Word with others, Jesus invites us to trust in His Father’s will and to seek our ultimate fulfillment in Him.
These readings call us to reflect on our own trust in God’s plan and our willingness to share the Gospel in our lives. Like Philip, we are called to be instruments of hope and healing, even in challenging times. And like those who listened to Jesus, we are reminded to seek our true fulfillment in Him, the bread of life. May we, in our daily lives, trust in God’s will, share His love with others, and find our ultimate satisfaction in His eternal promise.