Acts 6:8-15:
Psalm.118(119):23-24,26-27,29-30:
John 6:22-26
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from God
In today’s Gospel, we encounter a fascinating story about a crowd following Jesus—initially seeming like a good thing, maybe even exciting for Jesus himself. But here’s the catch: many of them weren’t truly following Him to know who He really is. Imagine people coming to church not to deepen their relationship with Jesus, but for other reasons. The crowd was searching for Jesus not because they understood Him, but because they were hungry—literally craving food to fill their stomachs. They believed life was just about material needs, about easy fixes. They wanted Jesus to simply make their lives better—more comfortable, safer, more enjoyable—just a couple of prayers and everything would be taken care of.
But Jesus had a different message. He needed to awaken them—and us!—to the truth that life is about more than just physical nourishment. Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from God. So Jesus confronts them, shining a light on their true motives. Are we following Jesus for genuine purpose or superficial satisfaction? Are we seeking worldly pleasures instead of pleasing the heart of God? Jesus, who is the Word made flesh—the living bread from heaven—knows our hearts. He offers us food that does not perish and grants eternal life. Sometimes, we take Him for granted simply because we don’t partake in Holy Mass daily.
Remember, God’s grace is a gift—powerful and free. None of us deserves it, yet God blesses us abundantly. Stephen’s face shone with this grace so brilliantly that Luke describes him saying, “All who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel” [Acts 6:15]. Despite this radiant sign, the Sanhedrin, blinded by hatred and misunderstanding, could not see the truth. Like the crowds in today’s Gospel, they failed to recognize Jesus’ signs—the ways He revealed the Way, the Truth, and the Life, ultimately pointing to the Risen Jesus.
So, as we go through our day, let us do everything with the mind of Christ. Remember, all wonders and signs belong to God—manifesting His presence in ways beyond our imagination. Jesus teaches us: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” [John 6:40].
This is our faith. This is our purpose. Heaven—our ultimate prize—awaits us all.
Fr Joseph Osho