Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a; Jn 6:35-40
Notes
Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.
Only a few days ago (Friday last) in our continuous readings, regarding the Apostles preaching Jesus: A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time, and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. [Sanhedrin] were persuaded by him. After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
Only a few days ago (Monday last, and yesterday) in our continuous readings, Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 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.
Then today, There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Thus Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.
What changed?
Summary
The continuous readings give us insight into the growth of the Church in its earliest days. Stephen and Philip, deacons, give insight into the persecution and the success of spreading the gospel message. Here are the key takes-aways.
Stephen: (Grace & Power, Wisdom, Peaceful confidence, and Forgiveness)
- Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.
- [They] debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
- All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
- 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.
Philip: (Preach the Gospel, Signs of Healing and Exorcism, Joy)
- Preaching the word.
- The signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured.
- Joy. There was great joy in that city.
Reflection
In our gospel portion today, we continue The Bread of Life Discourse.
This is what keeps the Church from folding like an insubstantial farce. The truth of the Eucharist is the enduring reality of God with Us, Emmanuel. The Eucharist is the Bread of Life that transforms people from ordinary to extraordinary instruments of God’s love. We cannot see the transformations except in the behavior of the people.
- Grace & Power, Wisdom, Peaceful confidence, and Forgiveness – as seen in Stephen.
- Preach the Gospel, Signs of Healing and Exorcism, Joy – as seen in Philip.
Real and measurable changes in the behavior reveal the interior change of the person.
- Hunger is transformed to hunger for righteousness.
- Need is transformed to aid to those in need.
- Rejection becomes invitation to the divine life.
Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, understood that. So his wait and see attitude was to allow the dead weight of falsehood to bring the farce down. Instead it thrived, because the truth is within the teachings of Jesus. He is Risen. He is leading us into the divine life. He has come to restore right relation with the Lord and one another.
Stephen and Philip illustrate that wonderfully. Men filled with faith and the holy Spirit.
Personal Reflection
I can attest that when I am acting rightly with the Lord and my fellow man, the power of the divine flows without impediment. Let’s take a moment today and remember then, in the communion of the Eucharist, we become like Stephen and Philip. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how when you have Grace & Power, Wisdom, Peaceful confidence, and Forgiveness as well as and again Preach the Gospel, Signs of Healing and Exorcism, and Joy.
These are the gospel, exactly.
Live the gospel.
First Reading
There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him.
Responsorial
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Gospel Acclamation
Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day, says the Lord.
Gospel
Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry