REFLECTION FOR THIRD WEEK OF EASTER, MONDAY

TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Acts: 6:9-10 "and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke."


REFLECTION

FIRST READING REFLECTION

In the 1st reading, we heard about Stephen, who was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to assist them with the distribution of food in the community.

Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people.

But with that God-given grace and power comes along difficulty.

He faced challenges and his opponents plotted against him and had him arrested.

But Stephen stood firm in being responsible and accountable to what God has given him.


GOSPEL REFLECTION

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus chiding the people for following Him, just for the sake of earthly desires, and instead, invites and exhorts them to seek for higher and heavenly longings in life.

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6: 27)

The people had witnessed Jesus’ great miracle of the multiplication of loaves.

Their hunger had been satisfied.

Their appetites had been gratified.

In Jesus, they found a person who was able to answer the bodily needs.

In Jesus, they found a person who was able to satisfy their material desires.

The people desired to crown Him as their King!

Is this not a trend in our society as well?

How often are the bread-givers and money-makers held in high esteem, even in our days…at the expense of people who are unable contribute much or do much work.

Think of the aged, the sick, the invalids in our own houses, communities and societies, who are unable to work or contribute anything materially.

How often do we neglect them!

How often do we put them down!

How often do we call them as useless!

We sometimes glorify people based only on their work, their position and their activities…

The “being” of a person is often neglected… only the “doing” of a person is exalted!

The “essence” of a person is often not given value… only the “work” of a person is given credit!

But Jesus refrains from being a victim to this mentality of the society.

• He refuses to be their “Bread-Boss!”

• He rejects to being their “Materialistic-Messiah!”

And so when people, come to Him, Jesus recognizes their motive in seeking Him… and He chides them saying: “Amen, Amen, I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs but you ate the loaves and were filled.


Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6: 26-27)


It is true that “to the hungry one, food and other material wants demand higher urgency”


It is not denied that “to the one whose basic needs are not met, material satisfaction is important”


Each of us has also been given a unique grace by God.


That grace is to be for God's glory and for the service of others.


RESOLUTION

Lets resolve to be responsible and accountable to what God has given us so that we can lead others to God.

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEK AHEAD FILLED WITH GODS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS

LETS EARNESTLY PRAY THAT THE VIRUS IS WASHED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH.