Daily Readings - Mon Apr 16 2018

First Reading - Acts 6.8-15

⁸Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people⁹But certain ones, from the synagogue of the so-called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those who were from Cilicia and Asia rose up and were disputing with Stephen¹⁰But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking¹¹Then they suborned men who were to claim that they had heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and against God¹²And thus did they stir up the people and the elders and the scribes. And hurrying together, they seized him and brought him to the council¹³And they set up false witnesses, who said: "This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law¹⁴For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the traditions, which Moses handed down to us.¹⁵And all those who were sitting in the council, gazing at him, saw his face, as if it had become the face of an Angel

Gospel - John 6.22-29

John

Chapter 6

²²On the next day, the crowd which was standing across the sea saw that there were no other small boats in that place, except one, and that Jesus had not entered into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had departed alone²³Yet truly, other boats came over from Tiberias, next to the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord gave thanks²⁴Therefore, when the crowd had seen that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they climbed into the small boats, and they went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus²⁵And when they had found him across the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?²⁶Jesus answered them and said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen signs, but because you have eaten from the bread and were satisfied²⁷Do not work for food that perishes, but for that which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.²⁸Therefore, they said to him, "What should we do, so that we may labor in the works of God?²⁹Jesus responded and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he 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.