Daily Readings - Fri Apr 12 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and divine providence. The first reading from Acts 5:34-42 recounts the council's deliberation regarding the Apostles. Gamaliel, a wise Pharisee, advises caution, using historical examples to illustrate that if the Apostles' movement is not of God, it will fade away. His counsel prevails, yet the Apostles, undeterred by warnings, continue their mission with unwavering dedication.
The Gospel from John 6:1-15 presents the miracle of feeding the 5,000. Jesus, with compassion and trust in God's plan, transforms a meager offering into abundance. Despite the crowd's desire to elevate Him to earthly power, Jesus humbly withdraws, focusing on His divine mission rather than human acclaim.
Both readings highlight trust in God's plan. The Apostles trusted God amidst persecution, while Jesus trusted God's plan over earthly ambitions. In our lives, this teaches us to embrace faith and trust in God's providence, even when challenges seem insurmountable. The moral lesson is clear: place your trust in God, for His plan is always greater than our own.