FIRST READING
“See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptised? ”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8:26-40)

In those days: An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert road. And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, “Do you understand what you are   reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this: “As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “Please, about whom does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptised?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesarea.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm66:8-9.16-17.20 (R. 1)
R/.  Cry out with joy to God, all the   earth.
Or:    Alleluia.

O peoples, bless our God;
let the voice of his praise resound,
of the God who gave life to our souls
and kept our feet from stumbling. R.

Come and hear, all who fear God;
I will tell what he did for my soul.
To him I cried aloud,
with exaltation ready on my tongue. R.

Blest be God, who did not reject my prayer,
nor withhold from me his merciful love. R.

ALLELUIA  John 6:51
Alleluia. I am the living bread which came down from heaven, says the Lord; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever. Alleluia.

GOSPEL  
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6:44-51)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven,  that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

The Holy Spirit directs the early Christians’ mission in Jerusalem, then in Samaria, and now to an African, a minister of an Ethiopian Queen.  He is reading the scriptures on the way home from Jerusalem after his pilgrimage. The Holy Spirit who inspired his reading also inspires Philip to explain the reading to the Ethiopian, who listens, accepts the explanation, and is baptized.  In the Gospel, Jesus repeats He is the Bread of Life.  This truth can only be accepted by people who come to God, listen to Him, learn and receive this bread of life in faith.  We too are invited to seek proper understanding of the Bible; to live by what we have understood.

FIRST READING
“They went about preaching the word.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 8: 1b-8)

On that day a great persecution arose against the Church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the Church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM     Psalm 66:1-3a.4-5.6-7a (R. 1)
R/. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.
Or: Alleluia.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth;
O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise.
Say to God, “How awesome your deeds!” R/.

“Before you all the earth shall bow down,
shall sing to you, sing to your name!”
Come and see the works of God:
awesome his deeds among the children of men. R/.

He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
Let our joy, then, be in him;
he rules forever by his might. R/.

ALLELUIA  John 6:40
Alleluia. Every one who believes in the Son has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day, says the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL              
“This is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son should have eternal life.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6:35-40)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For I have come down ‘from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

To believe in Jesus is to see who he really is. It is the Father’s loving initiative that enables human beings to attain salvation through the Son. St Augustine of Hippo says that they enter where enters the good and faithful servant to whom the Lord will say, “Enter into the joy of your Lord” and where they will be fully satisfied. But the crowd that saw him did not recognize him as the Son of God and did not believe in him. Often our seeing is similar; our fleeting look fails to see in depth, and so we do not grasp the real meaning of what we see. Jesus who “alone has seen the Father” (Jn 6:47) has come to enable us to see God. Those who are pure of heart see God in him, and he guarantees that they will be raise to eternal life.

Frist Reading
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 7 : 51-8:1a)

In those days: Stephen said to the people and the elders and the scribes, “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting to his death.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Ps 31:3bc-4.5 and 7b-8a.17 and 21ab (R. 6a)
R/. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Or: Alleluia.

Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me.
For you are my rock, my stronghold!
Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name. R/.

Into your hands I commend my spirit.
You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.
As for me, I trust in the Lord.
Let me be glad and rejoice in your mercy. R/.

R/. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Or: Alleluia.

Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your merciful love.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
secure from human scheming. R/.

ALLELUIA John 6:35ab
Alleluia. I am the bread of life, says the Lord; he who comes to me shall not hunger. Alleluia.

GOSPEL               
It was not Moses, but my Father who gave you the bread from heaven.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6:30-35)

At that time: The people said to Jesus, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat. ”’ Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

The miracle of the manna wrought by Moses is completed and perfected by Jesus. In late Judaism Moses was considered the first redeemer; the future Messiah would be the second. They expected that the manna would come down from heaven once again. To the crowd that asks for the bread of life, Jesus affirms in unmistakable terms that he is the bread of life that fully and permanently satisfies those who go to him and believe in him. He is the eternal life promised to the human race and is now offered to it. In him the Father gives us life. The life of God, given us in Christ, is revealed through faith. And faith is conversion and communion. Conversion is renunciation of one’s pride, of the will to dominate, of one’s security, and the renewal of mind and heart.

FIRST READING
“They could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:8-15)

In those days: Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men, who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Psalm  119:23-24.26-27.29-30 (R. 1b)
R/. Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord.
Or: Alleluia.

Though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant ponders your statutes.
See, your decrees are my delight;
your statutes are my counsellors. R.

I declared my ways and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
Make me grasp the way of your precepts,
and I will ponder your wonders. R.

R/. Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord.
Or: Alleluia.

Keep me from the way of falsehood;
grant me mercy by your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
your decrees I have upheld. R.

ALLELUIA Matthew 4:4b
Alleluia. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Alleluia.

GOSPEL               
“Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6:22-29)

[After five thousand men had eaten their fill, the disciples of Jesus saw him walking on the sea.] On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. However, boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
We must aim at the imperishable nourishment Jesus speaks of and believe in the one whom God has sent. The people had gone in search of Jesus not because of faith but because of utilitarian and materials motives. St Augustine of Hippo says, “How many are those who search for Jesus only to have from him temporal favours…! Rarely do we meet someone who looks for Jesus for Jesus.” Jesus is not demanding from us a series of activities but only faith in him. Faith is not a single action; it is a life to be lived in the varying experiences of daily life. In the measure we abandon our temporal and selfish motives in our search for Jesus, we fulfill the work of God, not our own

FIRST READING
They picked out seven men full of the Holy Spirit.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6: 1-7)

In these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the Twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 33:1-2.4-5. 18-19 (R. 22)
R/. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord.
Or: Alleluia.

Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;
for praise is fitting for the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. R.

For the word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and  right,
and his merciful love fills the earth. R

Yes, the Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him,
who hope in his merciful love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine. R.

ALLELUIA
Alleluia. Christ is risen, who created all things and has had mercy on the human race. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“They saw Jesus walking on the sea.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John   6: 16-21

When evening came, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capemaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea rose because   a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, but he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

The first reading shows us how the apostles handled the problem of ethnicity within their ideal community of believers.  The tendency to cater to “people from my place” to the detriment of others’ welfare is still very strong among us.  It exists in all walks of life, even in pious church communities. The problem always arises with sharing of material goods.  The inclusion of Spirit-filled people from different ethnic groups ensures equitable sharing of material resources and guards against partiality and injustice.

FIRST READING
“They left rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5:34-42)

In those days: A Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honour by all the people, stood up and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. For before these days Theudas arose, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Psalm 27:1.4. 13- 14 (4ac)
R/. There is one thing I ask of the Lord, to live in the house of the Lord.
Or:  Alleluia.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
whom should I dread? R/.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord,
only this do I seek:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord,
to inquire at his temple. R/.

I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord! R/.

ALLELUIA   Matthew 4:4b
Alleluia. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Alleluia.

GOSPEL                    
He distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 6: 1- 15)

At that time: Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. Jesus went up into the hills, and there sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting   up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by himself.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The multiplication of bread and fish is a preparation for the gift which God gives in Christ at the Eucharistic banquet. The Paschal feast is near; the atmosphere is one of expectation, wonder and peace. The people had come a long way to listen to Jesus; they needed rest and food. All the suffering, pain and anguish of our life’s journey seem to disappear in the serene presence and peace of Christ. He knows what he is going to do. He takes bread and fish, offers them to the Father and gives thanks. Thus nature is brought back to the Creator; human work is referred to God who grants him to do it. Our efforts and our fatigue are offered to the love of God who grants him to do it. Our efforts and our fatigue are offered to the love of God. Our little offering is multiplied and returned to us; our fatigue is lightened. The bread Jesus offers is a sign and guarantee of eternity.

FIRST READING
“One heart and soul.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4: 32-37)

The company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not any one needy among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM  Psalm 93:1abc.ie-2.5 (R. 1a)
R/. The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
Or: Alleluia.

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
The Lord has robed himself with might;
he has girded himself with power. R/.

The world you made firm, not to be moved;
your throne has stood firm from of old.
From all eternity, O Lord, you are. R/.

Truly your decrees are to be trusted.
Holiness is fitting to your house,
O Lord, until the end of time. R/.

ALLELUIA  John 3 :15
Alleluia. The Son of man must be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 3 :7b-15)

At that time: Jesus said to Nicodemus, “You must be born anew. The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Jesus teaches Nicodemus that, as the prophets had said, the messianic era should experience an innovation effusion of the Spirit. Jesus places things of the earth against things of heaven. Things of earth are divine truths concerning the human being things of heaven recall the glorification of Jesus. If what he has revealed about human beings is not believed, what he is going to reveal about the Son of Man will be much less believed. But only he who has descended from heaven can speak about heavenly realities. To be saved it is not enough to see the signs of Christ; it is necessary to enter into the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. The Cross is the means of salvation because it unites heaven and earth the divine and the human realities of Christ.