Prayer Peace and Persecution

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present the “Bread of Life” that is our source of peace when we endure persecution by living in Jesus Way.

Peace from Persecution

The Reading from The Acts of the Apostles describes the Persecution of the Church that initiates the mission of Philip in Samaria.

* [8:1] All were scattered…except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6:13–14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events.

* [8:3] Saul…was trying to destroy the church: like Stephen, Saul was able to perceive that the Christian movement contained the seeds of doctrinal divergence from Judaism. A pupil of Gamaliel, according to Acts 22:3, and totally dedicated to the law as the way of salvation (Gal 1:13–14), Saul accepted the task of crushing the Christian movement, at least insofar as it detracted from the importance of the temple and the law. His vehement opposition to Christianity reveals how difficult it was for a Jew of his time to accept a messianism that differed so greatly from the general expectation. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 66 praises God for powerful acts for Israel.

* [Psalm 66] In the first part (Ps 66:1–12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Ps 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity …

* [66:5–6] cf. the events described in Ex 14:1–15, 21; Jos 3:11–4:24 and Ps 114. (Psalms, PSALM 66 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, up to Jn 6:50, “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus;

* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jane Stein comments that the early disciples teach us that faith is not a protected place; it is a movement outward, sometimes compelled by pain or loss. Each place of suffering becomes a new space for grace to unfold.

In the Gospel, Jesus identifies Himself as the Bread of Life—the one who satisfies all hunger and thirst. His words move us from an outward struggle to an inward promise. “Whoever comes to me will never hunger.” The same Spirit who scattered the disciples now gathers all who believe into communion with Christ. Here, joy is not the denial of suffering but the fruit of being united to the will of the Father, who desires that “none be lost” but have eternal life.

When I read these passages together, I sense a call to trust in God’s transforming purpose. Even in times of fear or uncertainty, the divine pattern holds: persecution leads to witness, hunger leads to fulfillment, loss leads to resurrection. The story of the early Church is our story too. Christ feeds us with His presence so that we, nourished by the Bread of Life, can bring joy to the cities and hearts we touch today.

Blessings and Happy Easter! (Stein, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Possessing the Scriptures”, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When you understand anything in the Scriptures, it is love that is manifesting itself to you. When you fail to understand, it is love that is hiding itself from you. Those, therefore, who possess charity possess both what is manifest in the divine words and what is hidden in them." (excerpt from Sermon 350,2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:35-40 we can still struggle to understand and believe what Jesus says about his being the Bread of Life.

“Jesus, I believe that you are offering your very self—the gift of heavenly bread—to me. In faith I receive you, both at the altar and throughout my day. Help me to consume you at every moment. Help me to delight in knowing you. Help me to find in you the fulfillment of my longing for eternal life, with you and your Father and the Holy Spirit. This, Lord, is the food I long for. This is the only food that will satisfy my every hunger and thirst.”

“Lord, give me this Bread always!” (Meditation on John 6:35-40, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts a great persecution is occuring in Jerusalem. The Hellenistic Jewish Christians fled. Philip acts to heal and exorcise evil. Many flee but instead Philip proclaims to the people in difficult times. We can use difficulty to reach out with empathy and kindness. We lighten their burden by carrying it with them. The Bread of Life discourse continues in the Gospel of John leading to the revelation of the Bread of Life as His Nature. Now He proclaims how much God loves us and if we embrace that we are one with Jesus and the Father we are acquiring communion with God. Friar Jude notes this is the vertical dimension of Eucharist.

Brian McLaren describes a favorite place in nature from his childhood. He honors the grief that arises when the places we have known and loved change.

Several years ago, I was in the old neighborhood again…. The trail was still there, but now it was broad and paved for bicycles. The wetland had disappeared…. As I sat on one of the benches and looked around, I was overcome by sweet grief for the delight I once enjoyed as a boy, a lost magic boys and girls today will never know, at least, not there….

I’m returning to this precious place in my memory, this sacred swampy ground. I’m appreciating it, praising it for what it was, all the more because it has been lost…. You have your lost places unknown to me. I have mine unknown to you. We could not protect them. But we do not let these good creations disappear only to be forgotten, unappreciated, unpraised, unlamented. Our love for them outlasts their existence. So together, we remember them in grief. We feel them more fully revealing themselves to us in their passing away….

Stay with grief long enough to feel its sweetness, long enough for the sweetness and grief to deepen our sensitivity to the exquisite agony and ecstasy that we call appreciation, praise, love … and life. (McLaren, n.d.)

We ponder the meaning to us of Christ as the “Bread of Life” and how our faith offers us hope that we are nourished by the vertical nature of our Communion to support the horizontal action to which we are commissioned as salt and light in the world.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8? 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6? 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Beauty, Memory, and Grief. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/beauty-memory-and-grief/ 

Meditation on John 6:35-40. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/22/1548287/ 

Psalms, PSALM 66 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/66?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Raise You up at the Last Day. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Stein, J. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton On Line Ministries. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-22-2026 

Signs of Love in Forgiveness

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present forgiveness as an essential sign of the love we strive to express as followers of Christ.

A Path of Love in Forgiveness

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles concludes with Stephen’s Martyrdom.

* [7:55] He…saw…Jesus standing at the right hand of God: Stephen affirms to the Sanhedrin that the prophecy Jesus made before them has been fulfilled (Mk 14:62).

* [7:57] Covered their ears: Stephen’s declaration, like that of Jesus, is a scandal to the court, which regards it as blasphemy.

* [7:59] Compare Lk 23:34, 46. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [8:1] All were scattered…except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6:13–14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 31 declares a strong emphasis on trust in God.

* [Psalm 31] A lament (Ps 31:2–19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Ps 31:4, 6, 15–16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Ps 31:20–24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the “God of truth” (Ps 31:6). (Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus presents Bread from heaven.

* [6:31] Bread from heaven: cf. Ex 16:4, 15, 32–34 and the notes there; Ps 78:24. The manna, thought to have been hidden by Jeremiah (2 Mc 2:5–8), was expected to reappear miraculously at Passover, in the last days. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Colette O’Meara-McKinney comments that in today’s reading, Stephen the Martyr models something remarkable: he found peace in the middle of chaos. He spoke truth with confidence and accepted the consequences with courage.

I’ve been fortunate. Close family and trusted friends have challenged me at pivotal moments. I clearly remember a dear friend who called me out for lacking clear priorities and neglecting my responsibilities to the people I cared about. It was hard to hear. It was even harder not to respond defensively. But it was accurate — and it changed me.

This Lenten season, I’m challenging myself to cultivate an interior freedom — a quiet, centered place from which I can act with calm, clarity, and conviction. A place from which I can say the hard words, take meaningful action, and listen with genuine care.

That interior freedom — the freedom to choose courage — is an anchor. My prayer is that we each find our anchors in times of struggle and in seasons of abundance. May we find clarity in our convictions, and the will to live them out in honest, wholehearted action. (O'Meara-McKinney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes Trusting in the Lord, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"If you put your trust in money, you are paying futile regard to vain things; if you put your trust in high office or some exalted rank in human government, you are paying futile regard to vain things... When you put your trust in all these, either you expire and leave them all behind, or they will crumble while you are still alive, and what you trusted will have let you down... For my part, I do not put my trust in empty things as they do or pay futile regard to them; I have put my trust in the Lord." (excerpt from Exposition on the Psalms 31,12) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 7:51–8:1 comments that forgiveness is not optional for believers. God actually commands us to forgive those who have sinned against us. He expects us to forgive minor offenses, such as someone who snubs us, ignores us, or directs a sarcastic remark at us. Even though it can be very difficult and can take time, he also wants us to forgive family members or friends who have hurt us, betrayed us, or failed to help us when we most needed it.

If you are struggling to forgive someone, know that the grace of Jesus’ resurrection is available to you. If the offense is so serious that you don’t see how you could possibly forgive, just take the first step and ask God to forgive that person for you. Then, day by day, ask him to help you extend the same forgiveness. Ask your pastor or a close friend or counselor for help if you need to. It might be hard at first, but over time you will experience not only freedom from anger but also the joy of the risen Lord.

“Lord, help me to forgive anyone who has wronged me!” (Meditation on Acts 7:51–8:1, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in the Acts passage, Stephen is arrested and suffers mob justice and recites a history of the rejection of God of the Jews and He sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. As he is being stoned he forgives and implores God to receive his spirit. When someone is martyred Jesus is with them. Paul, who is Saul in Aramaic, is at their side. He is consenting to this action. Luke uses foreshadowing in his writing. Saul will become a main character. In the Gospel of John, Jesus accuses the people of ignoring signs. What are you going to perform after the loaves and fishes feed thousands. Jesus will satisfy as the true bread from heaven. Friar Jude presents the sign that He will satisfy the greatest hunger of their hearts.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the healing focus of the gospel became corrupted when we made it about securing a “ticket” for the next world, rather than experiencing aliveness in this one. Many of us are tempted to seek an escape from this moment instead of trusting that God’s healing is possible for us now — that even this moment can be good. We have treated “repentance” as the price of our heavenly ticket, when it actually means “a change of mind” — a transformation for the better. Geri, a Daily Meditations reader, shares her own story of healing with us:

I had my world fractured last year after my husband passed away from cancer. I have been grieving his loss and at the same time grieving what’s been going on in our country. Sometimes the sadness and anger I feel are overwhelming. But every day, I pray for healing for myself and the world around me. I want to be an instrument of Christ’s peace, whatever that entails. Thank you, Father Richard Rohr, and staff of CAC, for helping me through these uncertain and painful times! (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the inspiration of the Spirit to act in the realization that forgiveness is a gift to those we feel have wronged us that shines a light on our source of fullness of life in Jesus.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/7 

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8? 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?22 

Meditation on Acts 7:51–8:1. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/21/1547603/ 

O'Meara-McKinney, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-21-2026 

Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/31? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Healing for a Hurting World. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-father-richard-healing-for-a-hurting-world/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Am the Bread of Life. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/