First Reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 8:1-8

On the day of the martyrdom of Stephen, a severe persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and all, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Some devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. Meanwhile, Saul was ravaging the Church: he entered houses to drag off men and women and put them in prison.

Those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them. The crowds paid attention with one accord to what was said by Philip, when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John

John 6:35-40

At that time, Jesus said to the crowd: «I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me.

And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.»