Toward the newness of life

Third Tuesday of Eastertide – Acts 7:51-8:1; John 6:30-35

You stubborn people, with hearts and ears shut to God, are always resisting the Holy Spirit.

Stephen spoke with courage to the people, the elders, and the scribes. He did not soften the truth. He saw clearly their resistance to God’s call. The “old self” always prefers comfort, routine, and safety, even when they become stale and lifeless. But the witness to the risen Lord must have an open heart, ready to welcome whatever God asks.

That openness begins in the mind, the heart, the choices we make, and the desires we hold. It is there that the Holy Spirit works, giving us the strength to stand firm, to speak the truth, and to remain faithful to the end.

Stephen’s final prayer, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” is the prayer of every Christian disciple. It reminds us that the Spirit of God is always leading us towards greater faith, deeper trust, and real freedom.

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Bread of Life. You alone can fill the hunger in my heart. Keep me open to the true bread from heaven, and help me to live from your life each day.