💖 HOMILY - APRIL 21 💖

First Reading - Acts 7:51-8:1 

Gospel - John 6:30-35

There are moments when truth challenges us so deeply that we either accept it and change, or resist it and harden our hearts. The Word of God today places before us this very choice—the choice between openness and resistance, between faith and stubbornness.

In the first reading, we witness the powerful and painful moment of the martyrdom of Stephen. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen speaks boldly, calling out the stubbornness of the people who resist God’s message. Instead of listening, they become furious. They cover their ears, rush upon him, and stone him to death.

Even in this moment of violence, Stephen remains faithful. He entrusts himself to God and even prays for those who are killing him. His death becomes a powerful witness of forgiveness and faith. Yet, this event also marks the beginning of persecution against the Church, and we are introduced to Saul of Tarsus, who approves of this act.

In the Gospel, the crowd asks Jesus for a sign, referring to the manna given in the desert. They are still focused on physical bread. But Jesus leads them to a deeper truth: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Here, Jesus reveals Himself as the true source of life—not just physical sustenance, but spiritual fulfillment. He is the bread that satisfies the deepest hunger of the human heart.

Dear friends, these readings confront us with a serious question: how do we respond to God’s truth?

Like the people who rejected Stephen, we may sometimes resist the truth when it challenges us. It is easier to remain in our comfort zones than to change. But such resistance hardens our hearts and distances us from God.

On the other hand, Jesus invites us to come to Him with faith. He offers Himself as the bread of life—the one who satisfies our deepest needs. But this requires openness, humility, and trust.

Stephen shows us what it means to remain faithful, even in the face of rejection. His life reminds us that true faith is not only about believing when it is easy, but also about standing firm when it is difficult.

The question for us today is: are our hearts open to God, or are we resisting His voice? Are we seeking the true bread of life, or are we satisfied with lesser things?

May we have the courage to accept God’s truth, even when it challenges us. May we come to Christ with faith, trusting that He alone can satisfy our deepest hunger. And may we, like Stephen, remain faithful witnesses, filled with love and forgiveness, even in the face of difficulty.