20/04/2026

Alleluia, alleluia.

One does not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Alleluia.

I didn't realise then, that the sentence with which I finished my "reflections" yesterday was to become the "Gospel acclamation" for today.

We rightly revere Stephen as the first martyr but there is not much that we know about his life other than his way of leaving it.

He was one of the Deacons appointed by the Apostles and was learned enough to dispute, probably in Greek, with members of Foreign Synagogues. By the Grace of God Saul the Pharisee did not join in the actual stoning.

The accusation made against him

‘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 that Moses delivered to us."

is certainly accurate for by his teaching and Resurrection Jesus completes the "reset" of the Law that is the Incarnation.

In today's Psalm we pray for enlightenment:

teach me your statutes.

 Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will ponder your wonders

and in the Gospel we can find the response of  HOLY SPIRIT being thus shown that God is IAMFATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT.

Do not work for the food that perishes,

but for the food that endures to eternal life,

which the Son of Man will give to you.

For on him God the Father has 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.’