for April 27
Monday of the Third Week of Easter

In today’s first reading Stephen, like the apostles themselves, was working great signs and wonders. But he is confronted about what he proclaimed, even though he did so with wisdom, presumably the wisdom of God, and more importantly, he did so under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He is charged with speaking against Moses, meaning in opposition to the Mosaic Law as contained in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible which Jewish believers then and now consider the most important part of their scripture. Since they and we consider scripture inspired, you can see how Stephen’s accusers might conclude he was speaking in opposition to God in some sense.

More interestingly perhaps, he is charged before the Jewish authorities for denigrating what they call this holy place, namely the temple, by claiming Jesus will destroy it. What Jesus actually said as recorded in John’s gospel was Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. However, two verses later, John adds he was speaking about the temple of his body. During these accusations Stephen is described as having a face like that of an angel, maybe suggesting confidence or innocence. More likely the author is reminded of the transfiguration of Jesus where in one version we are told his face shone like the sun. Remember that the transfiguration preceded Jesus’ passion and death, which is exactly (as you probably know) what Stephen will undergo when he becomes the first Christian martyr.

After having fed the multitudes and walked on water and frightening the disciples, the gospel finds Jesus back in Capernaum, the base of operation for his ministry. When the crowd shows up inquiring of him, he recognizes that it is not the signs of the kingdom that attract them, but the loaves and fish he provided miraculously. He then suggests that in place of ordinary food that perishes he can give them food that endures for eternal life. While we can guess where this is headed, namely the explanation of the Eucharist, scholars suspect that at this point Jesus is referring to nourishing them and us through his word, his teaching. Think of yesterday’s gospel where the disciples recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread only after he first explains the scripture to them, like the word and sacrament we celebrate at every Mass.

Jesus then confirms this as all part of his role in the plan of salvation on which the God he calls Father has set his seal; we might say God has ratified or certified. Somewhat in response, the crowd questions Jesus about doing the works of God, presumably good works in general that Jesus praises elsewhere. His response, though, is that there is in a way ultimately just one work of God or one act of faith required from which all else is derived. The key is to believe in Jesus as sent by the Father, something that throughout the gospels his hearers struggle to accept.

We of course have no difficulty in believing in Jesus as the one sent by the Father. Our challenge always is putting that faith into practice.
—Edward O’Donnell SJ

Today’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website.