1ST READING
It
is always necessary to speak the truth with love to those who have
erred or are erring. We live in a world that is quickly walking down a
path to moral liberalism and thus discarding many of the time-proven
truths of our Christian faith. If this trend is not halted then I hate
to reflect on the nature of society that will result. Stephen speaks the
truth to the leaders of his time; we need to do the same today and work
for the re-establishment of the moral truths inherent to our human
dignity.
Acts 7:51-8:1
51 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. 52 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. 53 You received the law as transmitted by angels, but
you did not observe it.” 54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 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, 56 and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they
cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. 58 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. 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 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. 8: 1 Now Saul was consenting to his execution.
P S A L M
Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 7, 8, 17, 21
R: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
2 [3] Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. 3 [4] You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. (R) 5 [6] Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. 6 [7] My trust is in the Lord.
7 [8] I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy. (R) 16 [17] Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. 20 [21] You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plottings of men. (R)
GOSPEL
If
the people knew what answer Jesus was going to give them, they probably
would have never engaged Him on this topic. We are about to embark on
the Eucharistic discourse in John’s Gospel, many concepts of which are
tantamount to blasphemy from a Jewish perspective. The great mystery of
the Eucharist is one that we can never exhaust in all its wonder and
truth. Let us pray for a deeper understanding of this great sacrifice
and memorial of what Jesus did to save us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will never hunger.
John 6:30-35
30 The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? 31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 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. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 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.”
TODAY’S
BLESSING
think: Let us pray for a deeper understanding of this great sacrifice and memorial of what Jesus did to save us.
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Numbers 13-15
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