Bible reading: April 22nd : First reading They went from place to place, preaching the Good News A Reading from the Acts of Apostles 8:1-8 There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. The Word of the Lord. April 22nd : Responsorial Psalm Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a (R. 1) Response : Cry out with joy to God, all the earth. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise. Say to God, “How awesome your deeds! R.: Cry out with joy to God, all the earth Before you all the earth shall bow down, shall sing to you, sing to your name!” Come and see the works of God: awesome his deeds among the children of men. R.: Cry out with joy to God, all the earth He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. Let our joy, then, be in him; he rules forever by his might. R.: Cry out with joy to God, all the earth Alleluia V. Alleluia. R. Alleluia. V. Everyone who believes in the Son shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day, says the Lord. R. Alleluia. April 22nd : Gospel It is my Father's will that whoever sees the Son should have eternal life A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St.John 6:35-40 At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” The Gospel of the Lord. ___________ Today's Gospel Reflection: Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe.” John 6:35–36 Some who listened to Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse must have been shocked. Those who listened with faith began to believe in Him, even though their understanding was not complete. Those who listened with skepticism were not only shocked but angered, as evidenced by their reaction. Today’s Gospel marks Jesus’ clearest revelation of His divine identity and mission, inviting us to accept Him into our lives. After proclaiming Himself to be the Bread of Life, Jesus reveals His unity with the Father in Heaven Who sent Him on His mission. He proclaims that He “will not reject anyone who comes to” Him because He “came down from heaven” to do the will of the Father Who sent Him. Jesus concludes with a declaration about the Father’s will and Jesus’ mission: “Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day” (cf. John 6:37–40). Again, without the ears of faith, what Jesus revealed must have been shocking. At that time, the people of Israel were used to listening to rabbis who interpreted the Law of Moses, the psalms, and the prophets for them. These educated teachers often spoke clearly and with authority, but never like Jesus. His clarity and authority were pronounced, and His message He taught was new. Not even the prophets of old spoke like Him. When they prophesied, they usually began by saying, “Thus says the Lord…” Jesus’ teaching took a drastic shift by essentially proclaiming, “I AM the Lord…” Though some might have been skeptical and critical, it’s important for us to consider those who were humble of heart who listened to Jesus’ words with openness and faith. As they heard this new and amazing teaching, their hearts would have responded, “Yes!”, while their minds would have said, “I don’t understand.” When we experience the gift of faith, we will find we have that same reaction. God’s revealed and mysterious truths often stir our spirits first, calling us to believe, and only once we believe, is clarity given. In fact, faith often precedes understanding, inviting us to trust first and receive deeper insights in time. For that reason, we must understand that belief does not require perfect understanding. It’s appropriate to believe in our spirit, even though our minds have not yet grasped the truth we believe. This is especially the case with the Eucharist. Saint John Vianney once said, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.” Do you believe that? Of all the material possessions we might obtain in this life, nothing is more valuable, important, or precious than the Eucharist. Why? Because the Eucharist is Jesus Himself. He is the Bread of Life. His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity enter our souls when we receive this precious gift. After Jesus said to the crowds, “whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst,” He said that some would not believe in Him. But those who do believe, despite an incomplete understanding of the Eucharist, are promised they will “never hunger” and “never thirst.” Clearly, the hunger and thirst Jesus speaks of are far greater than physical needs. It’s the longing that comes from the depths of our being, desiring fulfillment, contentment, and peace. It’s a desire to be made whole, free from guilt and shame, satisfied beyond any natural satisfaction. This is the Eucharist. Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, desiring to satisfy our souls’ every longing. Reflect today on Jesus’ invitation to satiate your soul’s deepest hunger and thirst through the Eucharist. He calls you to a personal encounter, to find in Him the true satisfaction that the world cannot give. We attempt to acquire that satiation through many passing means, such as pleasures, comforts, indulgences, wealth, and prestige. None of it works. As you look into your soul and identify the many longings you have, turn to Him alone Who satisfies. Renew your faith in the Eucharist and receive the satiation He desires to bestow. My Eucharistic Lord, You have promised that if I come to You, You will satisfy my deepest longings, every hunger and thirst. I do come to You and believe that You are the Bread of Life, the only means to the Father. I renew my faith in Your True Presence in the Eucharist and pray that every time I receive You, my heart will be open to Your transforming love. Jesus, I trust in You. #Bible reading