Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
The scripture readings for today suggest a parallel between the witness of Stephen in the first reading and the message of Jesus in the gospel reading. The first reading contrasts Stephen with those who put him to death. On the one hand, Stephen’s enemies look on him as a blasphemer and not as someone who has a worthwhile message for them. On the other hand, Stephen tells his accusers that in opposing him they are in fact opposing the work of the Holy Spirit. Stephen is a martyr because he is willing to die for his faith. He continues to preach to those who wanted to put him to death and, in so doing, he stands as a witness for God’s message in Jesus Christ.
Stephen’s accusers are not unlike the crowd of people who confront Jesus in the gospel reading. The crowd asks Jesus for a sign. They want Jesus to prove himself to them. Referring back to Moses, they point out that Moses has given their ancestors a sign – namely manna to eat. Jesus reminds them that it was not Moses who gave manna to the people of Israel when they were wandering in the desert. Instead it was God who gave them manna to eat. Moses’ role was the role of a servant; He was there to do what God needed him to do. The crowd is in fact resisting Jesus and his work by demanding a sign from him.
In responding to the crowd, Jesus tells them that he is the Bread of Life. What does he mean by this? The key to understanding this image is to see that bread is nourishment. For many people in the world bread is their main source of food. Jesus is the bread that gives life to the world. One way this can be seen is that Jesus provides spiritual nourishment to his followers in the Eucharist. In addition, Jesus gives new life to those who choose to follow him. In the passage Jesus also reminds his followers that his life, ministry, and sacrifice are gifts from God to the world, things that God does for them.
In response to Jesus’ reply to the crowd, I find myself asking a few questions: Am I willing to be changed through my encounter with Jesus on a daily basis? Do I put God to the test by demanding a sign when what is needed now is faith? Am I willing to go anywhere and to be anything for Jesus’ sake, as his apostles were?
The example of Stephen is an extreme one. Stephen was willing to die for Jesus and for Jesus’ message. Perhaps we are not called to this sort of martyrdom, but we are called to be witnesses to God’s love and to be God’s servants in the world wherever we may find ourselves, and at any moment in time.
I pray that I will be willing to go where Jesus sends me and to do what he would have me do. And, above all, I pray that I will learn to live my life in such a way that pleases God in what I think, say, and do. I pray that I may become a better witness of Jesus’ presence in the world and to the various ways that Jesus is bread for the life of the world.
- Joel Schickel