Monday of the Third Week of Easter
(Acts 6:8-15; John
6:22-29)
As if he had just read
today’s gospel, Stephen in the first reading “works for the food that endures
for eternal life.” He does not withdraw
from criticism but boldly proclaims Jesus Christ. Like his Lord, Stephen will be martyred for testifying
to the truth.
In the gospel Jesus
had worked a sign out of compassion for his followers. Rather than seeing them hungry in a deserted
place, he fed them. But he never
intended that the people look to him as a source of physical nourishment. Rather he wanted them to imitate his concern
for others. For the same reason he
washed his disciples’ feet the night he shared with them his last meal.
Jesus came into the
world so that all might see in him the brother that unites one to another. He wants us to care for one another with a
helping hand. His sharing his Body and
Blood provides us with the grace to carry out this mission.
