＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 7:51-8:1a

 But you are a stubborn people,

You hardened your hearts and closed your ears. You have always resisted the Holy Spirit just as your fathers did. Was there a proph­et whom your ancestors did not persecute? They killed those who announced the coming of the Just One whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the Law through the angels but did not fulfill it.”

 When they heard this reproach, they were enraged and they gnashed their teeth against Stephen. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus at God’s right hand, so he ­declared: “I see the heavens open and the Son of Man at the right hand of God.”

 But they shouted and covered their ears with their hands and rushed together upon him. They brought him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

 As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and said in a loud voice: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he died.

Saul was there, approving his murder. This was the beginning of a great persecution against the Church in Jerusalem. All, except the apos­tles, were scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria.

 

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

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 6:30-35

 They then said, “Show us miraculous signs, that we may see and believe you. ­What sign do you perform? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert; as Scripture says: They were given bread from heaven to eat.”

 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread God gives is the One who comes from heaven and gives life to the world.” And they said to him, “Give us this bread always.”

 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty.

 

Gospel Reflection：

The people who have eaten the bread multiplied by Jesus cannot be at ease anymore. They even go out of their way to search for Him when He disappears the following day. And finding Him, they will not go away that easily.

Jesus takes this opportunity to upgrade their search beyond mere physical bread that nourishes the body only. He wants them to taste the bread that gives eternal life. Again there is misunderstanding, which is fairly common in the experience of Jesus.

He has to painstakingly explain to them what He means. It was a difficult and exasperating work. But Jesus plodded on. He needs to exercise patience with a group of people who are just beginning their path towards salvation.