Daily Readings - Sat Apr 14 2018

First Reading - Acts 6.1-7

¹In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration²And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: "It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also³Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work⁴Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.⁵And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch⁶These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them⁷And the Word of the Lord was increasing, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly. And even a large group of the priests were obedient to the faith

Gospel - John 6.16-21

John

Chapter 6

¹⁶Then, when evening arrived, his disciples descended to the sea¹⁷And when they had climbed into a boat, they went across the sea to Capernaum. And darkness had now arrived, and Jesus had not returned to them¹⁸Then the sea was stirred up by a great wind that was blowing¹⁹And so, when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat, and they were afraid²⁰But he said to them: "It is I. Do not be afraid.²¹Therefore, they were willing to receive him into the boat. But immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about faith, trust, and the presence of God in the midst of challenges. The first reading from Acts describes the early Christian community facing a practical problem: the fair distribution of resources to widows. The apostles, recognizing the need for order and justice, entrust the task to seven Spirit-filled men, including Stephen and Philip. This decision not only resolves the immediate issue but also allows the apostles to focus on their primary mission of preaching and prayer. The result is a flourishing community, with even many priests coming to faith. This passage reminds us that the Church’s growth is rooted in unity, delegation, and trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The Gospel from John takes us to a dramatic scene on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus’ disciples, struggling against a fierce storm, are met with fear and uncertainty. Then, in the midst of the chaos, Jesus appears walking on the water. His words, “It is I. Do not be afraid,” bring immediate calm and assurance. The boat, once tossed by the waves, reaches its destination instantly. This miracle is not just a display of divine power but a profound invitation to trust in God’s presence, even when the storms of life seem overwhelming. Both readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to challenges. In Acts, the early Church faced a problem and solved it through collaboration and faith in the Spirit. In John’s Gospel, the disciples learned to trust in Jesus’ presence, even when circumstances seemed hopeless. For us, these stories remind us to approach life’s difficulties with faith and trust. Like the apostles, we must delegate and work together to build a community of love and justice. Like the disciples, we must keep our eyes fixed on Christ, knowing that he is always with us, even in the darkest moments. Let us strive to live with this kind of faith, trusting that God’s plan will guide us safely to our destination.