Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 12 April 2027

8 And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.

9 Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.

11 Then they suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.

12 And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to the council.

13 And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law.

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us.

15 And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.

R. (1ab) Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

23 For princes sat, and spoke against me: but thy servant was employed in thy justifications.

24 For thy testimonies are my meditation: and thy justifications my counsel.

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

26 I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy justifications.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

29 Remove from me the way of iniquity: and out of thy law have mercy on me.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten.

R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

4b One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

22 The next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was no other ship there but one, and that Jesus had not entered into the ship with his disciples, but that his disciples were gone away alone.

23 But other ships came in from Tiberias; nigh unto the place where they had eaten the bread, the Lord giving thanks.

24 When therefore the multitude saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they took shipping, and came to Capharnaum, seeking for Jesus.

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him: Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them, and said: Amen, amen I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you. For him hath God, the Father, sealed.

28 They said therefore unto him: What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?

29 Jesus answered, and said to them: This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he hath sent.

The crowd searches for Jesus because they have eaten their fill, but he gently exposes a deeper hunger: food perishes, while the nourishment he gives endures to eternal life. The work God desires begins with believing in the One he has sent. Faith is more than seeking Christ for what he can provide; it is receiving him as the source and meaning of life.

Stephen shows what this faith can look like when it is tested. Surrounded by false witnesses and hostile voices, he remains full of grace and strength. His face reflects a heart formed by God’s word rather than controlled by fear. The psalm gives language to the same fidelity: even when princes speak against the servant, he continues to meditate on God’s law and choose the way of truth. We live by every word that comes from God when we allow it to shape our choices, especially when obedience is costly. Christ offers lasting nourishment, and those who receive it can remain faithful without becoming bitter, trusting that the truth of God is stronger than opposition.

Lord Jesus, deepen my hunger for you beyond the gifts I receive from your hands. Teach me to believe in you with a steady and faithful heart. When voices oppose what is true, keep me from fear, anger, and compromise. Form my mind through your word, and guide me in the way of your commandments. Give me the grace Stephen received: courage joined to gentleness, conviction joined to love. May your word sustain me each day and lead me toward the life that does not perish. Amen.