Daily Readings - Sat Apr 13 2024

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

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 narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian Church where the apostles, faced with a growing community and the neglect of certain widows, entrusted the solution to the Holy Spirit. By selecting seven men of good character and wisdom, they ensured that the needs of all were met, allowing the apostles to focus on their primary mission of prayer and teaching. This act of delegation not only resolved the immediate issue but also fostered unity and growth within the community. The Gospel from John presents a dramatic scene where Jesus calms the fears of His disciples during a storm. As they struggled against the waves and wind, Jesus appeared walking on the water, reassuring them with the words, "It is I. Do not be afraid." This moment of divine intervention reminds us that even in the midst of turmoil, God is ever-present and ready to guide us to safety. The disciples' fear turned to trust as they welcomed Jesus into the boat, leading them swiftly to their destination. These readings remind us of the importance of trusting in God's providence. Just as the early Church trusted the Holy Spirit to guide their decisions, we too can trust that God will navigate us through life's challenges. In our daily struggles, whether personal or communal, we are called to have faith that God's plan will prevail. Let us embrace this trust, allowing it to lead us to peaceful shores, just as it did for the disciples. May we, like the early Christians, be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect God's will, leading to a harmonious and thriving community.