Daily Readings - Fri Apr 16 2021
Acts
34But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.35And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men.36For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.37After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" So they took his advice,40and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
John
1After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.2And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.3Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.4Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.5Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"6He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.7Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,9"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.11Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.12And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost."13So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.14When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"15Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts reminds us of the early Christian community’s struggles and the wisdom of Gamaliel, a Pharisee who cautioned the Sanhedrin against persecuting the Apostles. He recalled how previous movements led by Theudas and Judas the Galilean had failed because they were not of God. Gamaliel’s advice was rooted in his understanding that if the Apostles’ mission was truly from God, it could not be stopped, and opposing it might mean fighting against God Himself. This passage highlights the importance of discernment and trust in God’s plan, even in the face of uncertainty or opposition.
The Gospel reading from John recounts the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, a powerful sign of Jesus’ divine authority. Faced with a hungry crowd, Jesus tested Philip’s faith, and through the meager offering of a boy’s five barley loaves and two fish, He provided abundantly for all. This miracle not only satisfied the people’s physical hunger but also revealed Jesus as the Prophet who would fulfill God’s promises. The leftovers gathered into twelve baskets symbolize God’s generosity and the idea that His grace is always more than enough, even in our own lives.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and discernment. Like Gamaliel, we are called to approach challenges with wisdom and openness, recognizing that God’s work cannot be hindered. Like the crowd in John’s Gospel, we often face situations where our resources seem insufficient, but Jesus shows us that even the smallest offerings can become something extraordinary when placed in His hands. Let us learn to trust in God’s providence, to discern His will in our lives, and to share generously what we have, knowing that He multiplies our efforts beyond measure.