Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection April 20, 2026

20th April 2026 (Monday)

Psalter: Week 3

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Acts 6:8-15

In those days: Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “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.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30 (R. 1b)

R/. Blessed are those walk in the law of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: John 6:22-29

[After five thousand men had eaten their fill, the disciples of Jesus saw him walking on the sea.] On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 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.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Monday – 3rd Week of Easter

Main Point: Grace and strength will be abundant for those who are on God’s side. Their intellect and spirit are too strong for the people of the globe to resist.

1. Falsity is always opposed to truth, evil is always opposed to good, and Satan’s path is always opposed to God’s path. Because Stephen was full of God’s grace, the power of the Spirit, and wisdom, teaching God’s way, and doing marvels and miracles, he was intolerable to those who were religiously rigid and perverted.

2. His declaration, overflowing with the Spirit, was too powerful for their blameworthy human understanding. Thus, they deceitfully created fake witnesses, accused him of blasphemy, and put him on trial before the Council. How hypocritical!

3. The primary goal of Jesus’ teachings and healings was to rekindle in the people the capacity for discernment and to uphold moral principles. Why? The distinction between material and spiritual, temporary and eternal, perishable and imperishable life, cheap deeds and divine signs, is yet beyond human comprehension. They don’t have the discernment. As a result, they give in to worldly, transient, and ostentatious displays.

4. For this reason, Jesus is issuing a severe warning: it is pointless to work for food that will only temporarily please and fill the stomach. Instead, aim for nourishment that is imperishable and provides everlasting life. It can only be given by God and the Son, who has been anointed and sent by God. It is thus prudent to have complete faith in Him.

5. Those with a full stomach sought Jesus out for momentary gain and bodily gratification. As a result, the Lord warned them to change course, broaden their viewpoint, and look for greater purposes and worlds.

My Practice: How about us? What is our race and what is our search? What is the level of our values? What makes us happy?