Short Homily - Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

"The Bread That Satisfies Forever"

Readings:

  • Acts 7:51—8:1a

  • Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab — “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”

  • John 6:30-35 — “I am the bread of life.”


A bishop once asked a group of young people at Mass, “What do you think Jesus meant when he said, ‘I am the Bread of Life’?”

One boy raised his hand and replied with a straight face: “He probably meant he’s better than sliced brown bread!” Well, not quite... but he wasn’t too far off — Jesus is better than anything we think sustains us. He’s that good old "daily bread" that won’t run out, even during a long power cut!

In John 6, the crowd demands a sign: “What can you do?” — forgetting He had just fed over 5,000. Jesus responds by shifting their eyes from full stomachs to full souls: “I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry.”

Meanwhile, Stephen, in Acts 7, is being stoned for speaking truth to power. But like Jesus, he says, “Lord, receive my spirit.” His body is breaking, but his spirit is nourished by the Bread of Heaven.

The Psalm echoes this spiritual surrender: “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
It’s a powerful moment of trust — especially for us South Africans navigating daily stresses, from taxi strikes to economic hardship.

Every time we receive the Eucharist, we are not just eating bread — we are receiving a Person, the very presence of Christ.

This is the Bread that gave Stephen courage, that carried Jesus through the Cross, and that carries us through loadshedding of spirit.

Question for Reflection

Where am I still asking Jesus to “prove” himself, when He’s already been feeding me all along?

Daily Practical Application

  • Be someone’s “bread” today — someone’s sign of God's faithfulness. 
  • Share a meal. 
  • Offer a ride. 
  • Pray with a neighbour.

When life pelts you like stones — criticism, failure, loneliness — remember Stephen. He was full of grace even while falling.

God doesn’t remove every stone — He strengthens your spirit.
Jesus doesn't promise easy — He promises fullness.

What Can I Do During the Jubilee Year?

  1. Receive the Eucharist more intentionally.

  2. Practice spiritual works of mercy — like encouraging someone with Scripture.

  3. Live Eucharist: Become nourishment for others.

  4. Pray for a deeper hunger — not just for justice, but for Jesus.

Let’s be honest: South Africans know hunger — for peace, for dignity, for real change.

But let’s not settle for empty promises — political or spiritual.
Let’s hunger for Christ. And let’s feed others with hope.

“Hope is the only meal that grows stronger the more you give it away.”

Jesus is still asking, “Do you want bread that perishes — or bread that endures?”

Choose the Bread of Life — and become a slice of heaven to someone else.

Lord Jesus,

You are the Bread of Life — feed my spirit today.
Help me to trust like Stephen, serve like You, and walk in hope like a true pilgrim.
May my life be broken and shared — so others may taste your love.
Amen.


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