Daily Readings - Sat Apr 30 2022

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 trust, leadership, and the presence of God in times of challenge. The first reading from Acts describes the early Christian community facing a practical problem: the neglect of certain widows in the distribution of resources. The Apostles, recognizing the need for order and fairness, entrusted the task of overseeing this ministry to seven Spirit-filled men, including Stephen and Philip. This decision not only resolved the immediate issue but also allowed the Apostles to focus on their primary mission of prayer and preaching. The result was a flourishing of the Word of God and the growth of the Church, even among the priests who began to believe. The Gospel reading shifts our focus to a moment of dramatic intervention by Jesus. As the disciples struggled to cross the sea in a storm, Jesus appeared walking on the water, calming their fears with the words, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” This miracle reminds us that even in the midst of turmoil, Jesus is always present, guiding us toward safe harbor. The disciples’ willingness to receive Him into the boat and the immediate stilling of the storm reflect the transformative power of faith and trust in God’s providence. These readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to challenges in our own lives. Like the early Church, we are called to address problems with wisdom and trust in the Holy Spirit, ensuring that all members of our community are cared for. Like the disciples, we must cultivate faith in Jesus’ presence, even when the “waters” of life seem turbulent. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God to guide us through storms? Do we serve others with the same selflessness and compassion as the early Christians? May these readings inspire us to deepen our trust in God and to live as instruments of His peace and love in the world.