Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 17, 2021
First Reading: Acts 6.1-7
1Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.2And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.3Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."5And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.7And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
Psalm 33
1Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.2Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.4For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.5He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.6By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.7He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!9For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.10The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.11The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!13The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;14from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,15he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.16The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.17The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.18Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,19that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.20Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.21For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.22Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Gospel: John 6.16-21
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.18The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.20But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."21Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and 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 faith, trust, and the providence of God. The first reading from Acts 6 describes the early Christian community addressing a practical challenge: the fair distribution of resources to widows. The apostles, recognizing their primary calling to prayer and the ministry of the Word, entrust the task to seven Spirit-filled men, chosen by the community. This solution not only resolves the immediate issue but also strengthens the unity and growth of the Church. The second reading from John’s Gospel presents a dramatic scene of Jesus walking on water to meet his disciples during a storm. Despite their initial fear, Jesus calms their anxieties with the words, “It is I. Do not be afraid,” and leads them safely to their destination.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust in God’s providence. In Acts, the early Christians demonstrate trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance as they select and ordain leaders to serve the community. Similarly, in the Gospel, the disciples learn to trust in Jesus’ presence and power even in the midst of turmoil. Both stories remind us that faith is not about removing challenges but about navigating them with confidence in God’s plan.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to reflect on how we respond to challenges. Do we, like the early Christians, trust in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and the strength of our community? Or do we, like the disciples, allow fear to dominate our hearts? Jesus’ words, “It is I. Do not be afraid,” are a timeless assurance for us today. Whatever storms we face—whether personal struggles, relational conflicts, or uncertainties about the future—we are called to place our trust in God’s loving care. Let us strive to live with the same faith and courage as the early Church, knowing that God’s providence will guide us through even the darkest of times.