First Reading (Acts 6,8-15)
Reading the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, Stephen, full of grace and power, performed wonders and great signs among the people. But some members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, along with Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, began to argue with Stephen.
However, they could not resist the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. So they bribed some individuals, who said: “We heard this man saying blasphemies against Moses and against God.” In this way, they incited the people, the elders and the doctors of the Law, who arrested Stephen and took him to the Sanhedrin.
There they presented false witnesses, who said: “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the Law. And we heard him affirm that Jesus of Nazareth was going to destroy this place and was going to change the customs that Moses transmitted to us”.
All who sat in the Sanhedrin had their eyes fixed on Stephen, and they saw his face as the face of an angel.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 6,22-29)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
After Jesus had satisfied the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea. The next day, the crowd that had remained on the other side of the sea discovered that there was only one boat and that Jesus had not gotten into it with the disciples, but that they had left alone.
Meanwhile, other boats had arrived from Tiberias, near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. When the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor were his disciples, they got into the boats and went looking for Jesus in Capernaum.
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate bread and were satisfied. Strive not for the food that is lost, but for the food that endures until eternal life, and which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one the Father has marked with his seal.”
Then they asked: “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus replied, “The work of God is that you believe in him whom he sent.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a question that resonates in our daily experiences: how do you search for the true meaning of life? Amid so many distractions and demands, it’s easy to get lost in an empty search for superficial achievements. But today, the biblical passages presented to us show us the way to find true satisfaction and fulfillment.
Imagine yourself at a party with a table full of food. Everyone around you is enjoying the tasty dishes, but you notice something is missing. People are only temporarily satisfied, and the search for something more remains. This powerful image helps us understand the spiritual truths we find in today’s Bible passages.
In the first reading, from the book of the Acts of the Apostles, we are introduced to Stephen, a man full of grace and power, who performed great wonders and signs among the people. He was a living example of the transforming power of the Gospel. However, we found opposition and slander against him, as his message confronted the selfishness and injustices of the time.
This story teaches us that the search for true satisfaction and meaning in life often faces obstacles. The world can challenge us, trying to convince us that happiness lies in material achievements, power and recognition. But, like Stephen, we are called to remain faithful to the message of Jesus, even when faced with opposition and persecution.
In the Gospel of John, we find a crowd following Jesus after the multiplication of the loaves. They sought signs and wonders, wanting only to satisfy their immediate physical needs. But Jesus reveals to them a deeper truth: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that lasts until eternal life.”
These words challenge us to evaluate our own priorities and motivations. How often do we find ourselves seeking only the fleeting satisfactions of this life, neglecting the search for eternal life? Jesus invites us to seek something more lasting, something that feeds not only our bodies but also our souls.
Now, let us bring these spiritual truths into the realities of our everyday lives. Just like the crowd who only sought physical satisfaction, we often find ourselves caught up in a frantic search for material achievements, financial security, or professional success. But deep down, we know that these things cannot bring us true fulfillment and lasting joy.
How many times do we allow ourselves to be carried away by the distractions of the world, forgetting the true bread that satisfies our spiritual hunger? Jesus calls us to seek something deeper, something that fulfills us in every aspect of our existence. He invites us to seek Him, to know Him and to follow Him.
But how can we put these principles into practice in our daily lives? Allow me to share some practical guidance:
First, let’s make an honest assessment of our priorities. Let us examine our hearts and identify the areas in which we are seeking fulfillment outside of God. Let us renounce the false promises of the world and place Jesus at the center of our lives.
Secondly, let us seek the presence of Jesus daily. Let us dedicate time to prayer, reading the Word of God and participating in the sacraments. Only when we draw close to Jesus and feed on His grace will we find the true satisfaction our hearts long for.
Furthermore, let us cultivate the virtue of gratitude. Let us thank God for the blessings we have already received and learn to find joy in the simple things in life. When we are grateful, we recognize that everything we have comes from God, and this helps us keep our desires and ambitions in perspective.
Finally, let us share the bread we have received. Just as Stephen shared the transforming power of the Gospel, we too are called to witness the presence of Jesus in our lives. Let us be instruments of peace, love and compassion in our families, communities and everywhere God places us.
Dear brothers and sisters, the search for the true meaning of life is an ongoing journey. It’s not just a single decision, but a daily choice to put Jesus at the center of our lives. He is the living bread that came down from heaven, and only in Him do we find true satisfaction and fullness.
I repeat: only in Jesus do we find true satisfaction and fulfillment.
Imagine a hungry person in an arid desert, desperately searching for water. She dug dry wells, but her thirst remains. However, when he finally finds an oasis with a spring of living water, his thirst is quenched and his energy is restored. So it is with our spiritual quest. The world may offer us dry wells of superficial satisfaction, but only in Jesus do we find the living water that quenches our spiritual thirst.
Today, I would like to challenge you to reflect on your own lives. Where are you looking for satisfaction and meaning? Are you content with the dry wells of this world or are you seeking the living water that only Jesus can offer?
I invite you to make a conscious choice to seek Jesus in all areas of your lives. Commit to putting Him first, seeking His presence daily, and sharing the love and grace you receive.
Dear brothers and sisters, the search for the true meaning of life is a challenging journey, but it is also a rewarding journey. When we seek Jesus with all our hearts, we discover that He fills us in ways we could never imagine. His grace transforms us, His presence sustains us, and His love empowers us to live lives of fullness and purpose.
May God’s grace be with us all, strengthening us in our search for true satisfaction and fulfillment. May we be living witnesses to the transforming power of the Gospel, bringing the light of Christ to a world thirsty for hope.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
