Lectionary: 274

Reading I

Acts 7:51—8:1a 

Stephen said to the people, the elders, and the scribes:
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears,
you always oppose the Holy Spirit;
you are just like your ancestors.
Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute?
They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one,
whose betrayers and murderers you have now become.
You received the law as transmitted by angels,
but you did not observe it.”

When they heard this, they were infuriated,
and they ground their teeth at him.
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
But they cried out in a loud voice,
covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out,
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice,
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them”;
and when he said this, he fell asleep.

Now Saul was consenting to his execution.

Responsorial Psalm

31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab 

R.    (6a)  Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
Be my rock of refuge,
   a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
   for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
R.    Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
   you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
My trust is in the LORD;
   I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy.
R.    Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R.    Alleluia.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
   save me in your kindness.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
   from the plottings of men.
R.    Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or:
R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 6:35ab 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the bread of life, says the Lord;
whoever comes to me will never hunger.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 6:30-35 

The crowd said to Jesus:
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:

    He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

So Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.”

So they said to Jesus,
“Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Reflection: TRUE PEACE AND HAPPINESS 

Continuing further on yesterday's reflections, let us ask ourselves: "What do I truly long for?” “Am I longing for a promotion, a raise in my salary, a beautiful house and a prosperous life?” All these are good gifts, but do they truly satisfy us? While these goals in life are important, they cannot assure lasting peace and true happiness. In today's gospel Jesus tells us that he is the bread of life. When we reflect on the words of Jesus, we realize that he is asking us to surrender ourselves completely to him. Jesus asks for the 'lsaacs' that are dear to us. Just as Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son whom he loved dearly, Jesus is asking us to surrender to him all that matters most important to us - our plans, relationships, business deals and so on. One cannot love his spouse 99%, it must be 100%, or else it is not love at all. The first reading presents Stephen as an example of total surrender to our Lord. He was willing to surrender himself totally, even unto death. Stephen's surrender is a fruit of love and not out of compulsion or helplessness. The demands of such a sacrifice are great, but so are the rewards that come from this type of sacrifice and devotion. These are choices we constantly face. We choose Jesus and choose life without end!