My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may he, the Lord, give you peace! Today's readings present us with a powerful contrast: the persecution of Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, and the search for Jesus by a crowd more interested in physical sustenance than spiritual truth. In these passages, we are invited to consider what truly motivates us and what we are willing to stand for.
We see Stephen, described as "filled with grace and power," working wonders and signs. His life is a testament to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. But this power is not without its challenges. His wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke were so compelling that his opponents could not refute him. Their inability to win the debate led not to humble acceptance of truth, but to anger and manipulation. They resort to false accusations, stirring up the people and the authorities against him. Stephen’s radiant face, like that of an angel, is a sign of his closeness to God, even in the face of imminent danger. His story reminds us that living a life filled with the Spirit often means facing opposition, even from those who claim to uphold religious tradition.
The Psalmist echoes this sentiment, speaking of princes who meet and talk against him, yet his delight remains in God's statutes. He asks for understanding and the removal of falsehood, choosing the way of truth. This is the path Stephen walked, and it is the path we are called to walk as well. It is a path of meditating on God's decrees, allowing them to be our counselors, even when the world seems arrayed against us.
In the Gospel, we see a crowd searching for Jesus, but their motivation is rooted in the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. They are looking for more bread, more physical satisfaction. Jesus, in his divine wisdom, sees through their superficial pursuit. He tells them, "You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled." He challenges them to work not for perishable food, but for the "food that endures for eternal life."
This is a crucial distinction for us. Are we seeking Jesus primarily for what he can give us physically or materially? Or are we seeking him for the eternal life he offers, for the spiritual nourishment that truly satisfies? The crowd asks, "What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" And Jesus gives them the simple yet profound answer: "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." Belief is the foundation. It does not merely imply an intellectual assent, but a deep trust and commitment to Jesus Christ. When we truly believe, we are empowered to live lives that reflect that belief, lives filled with the same grace and power that Stephen possessed. This belief enables us to stand firm in the face of opposition, to seek truth over falsehood, and to prioritize spiritual nourishment over temporary comforts.
Today, let us reflect on our own motivations. Are we like the crowd, seeking Jesus for what he can do for us on a superficial level? Or are we like Stephen, so filled with the Spirit and truth that we are willing to face persecution for the sake of the Gospel? Let us pray for the grace to choose the way of truth, to meditate on God's statutes, and to truly believe in the one he sent. For it is in this belief, and in living by every word that comes from God, that we find the food that endures for eternal life and the strength to face whatever challenges come our way.
May we, like Stephen, have faces that reflect the presence of God, even in the midst of trials. May we, like the Psalmist, find our delight and counsel in God's decrees. And may we, unlike the crowd, seek Jesus not for temporary satisfaction, but for the eternal life that only he can give.
Amen.
Add comment
Comments