We cannot possibly do everything ourselves and if go deeper in reflection we know that we are created uniquely, loved deeply and made for communion with the Lord our God and one another. We all have different strengths and gifts which complement one another, for His greater glory.
In today’s reading there was a need for help and so through prayer and discernment with the Holy Spirit, the men of faith were specially chosen to care for all in need among them. They were prayed over and anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit. What happens when a community is led by the Spirit? There is growth!
Jesus reminds us today that in all our trials, tribulations, worries, anxiety, challenges, He is with us through it all. Do not be afraid! It is I. I the Lord Your God, am with you. And before you realise it, you would have arrived where you needed to be; safe and sound in His loving embrace.
Thank You Jesus! Amen Alleluia!
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First reading
Acts 6:1-7 ·
They elected seven men full of the Holy Spirit
About this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked. So the Twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom; we will hand over this duty to them, and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.’ The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
The word of the Lord continued to spread: the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly increased, and a large group of priests made their submission to the faith.
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Gospel
John 6:16-21
They saw Jesus walking on the lake
In the evening the disciples went down to the shore of the lake and got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the lake. It was getting dark by now and Jesus had still not rejoined them. The wind was strong, and the sea was getting rough. They had rowed three or four miles when they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming towards the boat. This frightened them, but he said, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid.’ They were for taking him into the boat, but in no time it reached the shore at the place they were making for.
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