Daily Readings - Sat Apr 14 2018

¹In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

John

Chapter 6

¹⁶When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,¹⁷where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.¹⁸A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.¹⁹When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.²⁰But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."²¹Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

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.