Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Persecution, Bread of Life
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
The fervour of the young Church is so contagious that even in persecution, Christians use the occasion of the persecution itself to preach the risen Christ. Indeed, God does not abandon the Church, even in moments of trial. The reading from Acts says that there was even great joy over the signs of the Lord’s presence.
There is also great joy in the Gospel, where we hear Jesus say that he is our bread of life: not only will he later give himself as bread to eat, but his word and message are for us real bread of life, something to live by and for.
Opening Prayer
God, our Father,
You are our faithful God,
even in days of trial for the Church
and for each of us personally;
You stay by our side,
even if we are not aware of your presence.
Give us unlimited trust in you
and make us ever more aware
that your Son Jesus is the meaning of our lives
and that he nourishes us with himself,
today and every day, forever.
First Reading
Saul was there, approving the murder.
Persecution and Preaching in Samaria
This marked the beginning of intense persecution against the Church in Jerusalem. Everyone except the apostles was scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.
Meanwhile, Saul was trying to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragged off men and women, and had them thrown into jail.
At the same time, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
Philip
Philip traveled to a town in Samaria and preached about Christ there.
All the people paid close attention to what Philip said as they listened to him and observed the miraculous signs he performed.
For example, in cases of possession, unclean spirits came out shouting loudly. Many people who were paralyzed or crippled were healed.
There was great joy in that town.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life,
and I shall raise him up on the last day, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to them:
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
Nevertheless, as I said, you refuse to believe, even when you have seen.
Yet all those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will not turn away.
For I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.
And the will of him who sent me is that I lose nothing of what he has given me, but instead that I raise it up on the last day.
This is the will of the Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.
Prayers of the Faithful
– That by the way they live their faith Christians, may show the beauty and joy of the message of Christ to those who seek, we pray:
– That the Church may accept people the way they are and not drive them away because of mistakes, we pray:
– That we may all be open-handed to many who are hungry today for food and love, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Our faithful God,
you are our God of the covenant.
Make us understand the covenant more deeply
as your lasting commitment to us
at your own initiative.
In these signs of bread and wine,
allow us to express that we too,
want to be faithful to you not only
in moments of happiness and joy
but also when we are groping in the dark.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Our faithful God,
we rejoice that in your Son, Jesus,
and his message of life,
you have given us something
and someone to live for.
Thank you very much for making him
our bread of life,
who will never drive us away
but will keep accepting us
and making us grow in his life
until it blossoms forth in eternal life.
All thanks through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
“I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me to drink,” says Jesus. May you always keep recognizing Jesus in the needy, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Coming to Him as Subject
We have a couple of promises in today’s gospel. That as per his Father’s will, Jesus will not lose anyone whom the Father has given him; that he will never turn away anyone who comes to him. But then, how do we reconcile these promises with the outright rejection that Jesus warns about, in Lk 13:22-28: That many would come and knock at his door, saying that they had preached him and dined with him; but he would reject them saying “I don’t know you. Away from me”? As Jesus cannot contradict himself, we can only conclude that the latter group came to him, focusing on him as their object to use, and never as their subject to adore; or, in other words, in their “coming to him” they were only narcissistically coming to themselves. The rejection of even those who dined with him must caution us about the true motives of even our eucharistic engagement.
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John 6: 35-40
Nourishment for the Eternal Journey -
In the sacred mystery of the Eucharist, Christ offers Himself as true nourishment for our souls. Jesus truly satiates our deepest spiritual hungers. When we receive the Blessed Sacrament, we partake in spiritual vitamins that strengthen us for life's daily struggles. Remember Christ's promise: "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." How often we Christians walk with downcast faces, as though already defeated!
We are God’s beloved children cherished beyond measure. In His infinite love, our Creator paradoxically makes himself ours so that we might be His. This mutual belonging forms the foundation of our invitation to eternal life.
Our earthly pilgrimage, while sacred and meaningful, is but a prelude to eternity. The Lord strengthens us for today while gently reminding us that something far greater awaits. When life's burdens weigh heavily, lift your eyes toward heaven. Rejoice! Eternity awaits! The path stretches before you—walk it with confidence.
This journey of discipleship requires trust, courage, and endurance through suffering. There will be moments of disillusionment, times when fervour fades and prayer feels burdensome. The path of self-discovery inevitably reveals our weaknesses and limitations, bringing necessary pain.
As St. Augustine wisely prayed, "Lord, that I may know you; Lord, that I may know myself." The deeper we know God, the clearer we see ourselves. This transformation unfolds gradually as the Eucharistic fire ignites within our hearts. Though challenging, this journey toward eternal life with Christ promises incomparable fulfilment.