Daily Mass Readings – Tuesday, 13 April 2027

51 You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you also.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them who foretold of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers:

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

54 Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

56 And he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him.

58 And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

R. (6a) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

or

R. Alleluia.

3cd Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me.

4 For thou art my strength and my refuge; and for thy name’s sake thou wilt lead me, and nourish me.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

or

R. Alleluia.

6 Into thy hands I commend my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.

7b But I have hoped in the Lord:

8a I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

or

R. Alleluia.

17 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save me in thy mercy.

21ab Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy face, from the disturbance of men.

R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

35ab I am the bread of life, says the Lord; whoever comes to me will never hunger.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

30 They said therefore to him: What sign therefore dost thou shew, that we may see, and may believe thee? What dost thou work?

31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

32 Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say to you; Moses gave you not bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is that which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world.

34 They said therefore unto him: Lord, give us always this bread.

35 And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.

Jesus promises himself as the bread of life: the gift that truly satisfies hunger and thirst, and gives life to the world. This bread does not remove every trial, but it nourishes a faith strong enough to remain faithful within them. Stephen stands before those who reject the truth, yet he is filled with the Holy Spirit and sees Jesus standing in glory. His final words reveal the life he has received from Christ: he entrusts his spirit to the Lord and asks mercy for those who are killing him.

The contrast is striking. Some close their ears and resist the Holy Spirit; Stephen receives God’s life and allows it to shape his response. Communion with Jesus opens the heart to courage, forgiveness, and trust. Each time we come to Christ, he teaches us to place our lives into the Father’s hands rather than letting fear or resentment have the final word. The bread of life becomes visible in a life that remains faithful and merciful, even when faithfulness is costly.

Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, feed me with your presence and make my heart attentive to the Holy Spirit. When truth is difficult or suffering presses upon me, keep me from closing my ears or hardening my heart. Give me Stephen’s trust, so that I may place my spirit in your hands and remain faithful to you. Teach me to answer injury with mercy and to pray for those who oppose or hurt me. May the life I receive from you become courage, patience, and forgiveness in my daily choices. Lord, nourish me and lead me into your peace. Amen.