EASTER WEEK 3 WEDNESDAY
#22-APR-2026 Readings
1ST READING: Acts 8:1-8
On that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
The Word of The Lord!
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 66
📢 R. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth. or ALLELUIA.
Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render hHim glorious praise. Say to God, 'How awesome your deeds!' 'Before you all the earth shall bow down, shall
R. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth. or ALLELUIA.
sing to you, sing to your name! Come and see the works of God: awesome His deeds among the children of men.
R. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth. or ALLELUIA.
He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. Let our joy, then, be in Him; he rules for ever by His might.
R. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth. or ALLELUIA.
The Word of The Lord!
ACCLAMATION: John 6:40
R. ALLELUIA.
Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day, says the Lord.
R. ALLELUIA.
GOSPEL John 6:35-40
At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
The Gospel of The Lord!
Reflection:
God writes straight on crooked lines." Stephen's martyrdom and subsequent persecution force the disciples to move outside Jerusalem. As Jesus has commissioned them, they begin to proclaim the GOSPEL widely. Philip, one of the seven, makes a breakthrough in Samaria. Our baptism mandates us to proclaim the GOSPEL. If we think we are too insignificant to do this we diminish ourselves; we doubt the power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. In the GOSPEL Jesus continues to teach people the difference between ordinary bread, however miraculous it may seem, and Himself, God's bread from heaven for eternal life. To receive this we need faith, not money. Jesus, I trust in you.