“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day” (Jn 6:44). If we unite ourselves to Jesus, we will be reborn in him on the last day.

“I am the bread of life; who­ever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst” (Jn 6:35). When we encounter Jesus in Sacred Scripture, in the Holy Eucharist, and in selfless service to others, we receive the Bread of Life.

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them;” when he said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:51–8:1a). St. Stephen died with God’s mercy on his lips.

“Do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternal life” (Jn 6:22–29). Material goods perish, but the spiritual life endures forever.

In today’s Gospel reading (Lk 24:35–48), the Lord asks his disciples, “Why are you troubled and why do questions arise in your hearts?” If we trust in Jesus, he will calm our troubled hearts.