Daily Readings - Sat Apr 13 2024

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 narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian Church where the apostles, faced with a growing community and the neglect of certain widows, entrusted the solution to the Holy Spirit. By selecting seven men of good character and wisdom, they ensured that the needs of all were met, allowing the apostles to focus on their primary mission of prayer and teaching. This act of delegation not only resolved the immediate issue but also fostered unity and growth within the community. The Gospel from John presents a dramatic scene where Jesus calms the fears of His disciples during a storm. As they struggled against the waves and wind, Jesus appeared walking on the water, reassuring them with the words, "It is I. Do not be afraid." This moment of divine intervention reminds us that even in the midst of turmoil, God is ever-present and ready to guide us to safety. The disciples' fear turned to trust as they welcomed Jesus into the boat, leading them swiftly to their destination. These readings remind us of the importance of trusting in God's providence. Just as the early Church trusted the Holy Spirit to guide their decisions, we too can trust that God will navigate us through life's challenges. In our daily struggles, whether personal or communal, we are called to have faith that God's plan will prevail. Let us embrace this trust, allowing it to lead us to peaceful shores, just as it did for the disciples. May we, like the early Christians, be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect God's will, leading to a harmonious and thriving community.