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| “St. Athanasius” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Acts 7:51—8:1a
Commentary on Acts 7:51—8:1a
St. Stephen is martyred for proclaiming Jesus Christ as God, which is considered blasphemy by the Sanhedrin. He is the first Christian martyr, stoned outside of Jerusalem with the consent of one of the representatives of the Sanhedrin (“The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul”) whom we know later is named St. Paul.
We note how St. Luke draws a parallel between the martyrdom of Stephen and the death of Jesus. Both asked the Father to forgive their persecutors in their last moments (see Luke 23:34), and both called out to God to receive their spirit (see Luke 23:46).
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Responsorial Psalm: 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.
Commentary on Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a,17 and 21ab
Psalm 31 is an individual lament. The psalmist calls out to the Lord with confidence in God's salvation, as in distress he is persecuted for being faithful: “Into your hands I commend my spirit” and “You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plottings of men.”
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Gospel: John 6:30-35
Commentary on Jn 6:30-35
Jesus continues the “Bread of Life” discourse. The people misunderstand and think Jesus is asking for faith in order to perform a sign (see also Mark 8:11, Matthew 16:1, and Luke 11:16). The Jews, in dialogue with Jesus, refer to the favor shown by God, as in the desert following the exodus, God showered manna upon the people. They quote Nehemiah 9:15, again seeking physical bread, when Jesus is offering the spiritual. In this selection St. John provides the most solemn of statements by Jesus, which are unambiguous statements about his real presence in the Eucharist: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” In this offer, Jesus provides sustenance for the spirit, while physical bread only supports the mortal body.
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Reflection:
Deep into the Easter Season, we are reminded of the Lord’s resurrection by the martyrdom of St. Stephen. We are also provided with one of the most moving passages in St. John’s Gospel, as the Lord tells us that we are called to be a “Eucharistic People.” When we hear that call, as we must when we accept his body and blood, we must also ask ourselves what it means to be a people whose lives are bound up in God’s glorified body.
The Bread of Life is Jesus! That is exactly what he says: “I am the bread of life.” Acceptance of that offer has both an effect on those who accept it in faith, and an obligation based upon the gift given.
The grace we receive can be likened to a transfusion of blood to one who is in need. A transfusion to a patient in surgery, or to one injured in an accident, saves that person’s life. There is no substitute for blood which carries life, air, and nourishment to each cell of the body. Blood also carries away those things which would poison the body if they were allowed to remain.
In the same way the Eucharist brings life to each of us who accept it. Not necessarily to the physical body, except as a consequence of faith which has the power to heal the body. No, the life most clearly provided is life of the soul, a joining to the supernatural body of the risen Christ which is like physical blood that brings nourishment, and breathes life into us and washes away the poison of sin.
How much in awe we are of the sacrifice that placed this gift at our disposal? As we celebrate this Easter of our joy, let us thank God without ceasing for the gift of this bread from heaven which brings us life in the next world and hope in this one.
Pax
[1] The icon is “St. Athanasius” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN.
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
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