2ND WEEK OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 2 / (White)
St. Catherine of Siena, virgin & doctor
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
1st Reading: Acts 6:1-7
In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together, and said, “It is not right, that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables. So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men, full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task. As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”
The whole community agreed; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch, who was a proselyte. They presented these men to the apostles, who, first prayed over them, and then, laid hands upon them.
The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; and even many priests accepted the faith.
Gospel: Jn 6:16-21
When evening came, the disciples went down to the shore. After a while, they got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the sea, for it was now dark and Jesus had not yet come to them. But the sea was getting rough because a strong wind was blowing.
They had rowed about three or four miles, when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and he was drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, but he said to them, “It is I! Don’t be afraid!”
They wanted to take him into the boat, but immediately, the boat was at the shore to which they were going.
REFLECTION:
It was getting dark and the disciples in a hurry to go to the opposite side left without Jesus. It was the prudent thing to do. Prudence is a virtue yet sometimes it does not yield the desired result. The disciples leaving without Jesus made them vulnerable and at the mercy of the elements. It was a rough sailing. Then Jesus walked towards them. For every time we are buffeted by the tempest of life, He walks towards us to calm our storms. He does so uninvited. He wants to do it because He decides to do it for us.
The disciples want to take Him into their boat. Perhaps it was a sign of gratitude and relief. But immediately, they were on shore. For Jesus doesn’t want to intrude into our house just because we felt obliged to do so. If He was not invited before, it does not stop Him from helping midstream. And it seemed He doesn’t want to take advantage of the vulnerable position of people. That is why He took the disciples immediately to the shore. He wants to give them a new start. And hopefully from there, they will invite Him from the very beginning and not in the middle of the journey simply because they have a debt of gratitude to pay.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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