Disagreements are bound to come up in a community. Differences of opinion, culture, experience, age and so on. However in today’s first reading there are lessons to be learned on how a christ centred community of disciples work things out. First and foremost is the coming together in prayer and discernment. Submitting to the wisdom and counsel of the Holy Spirit. Obeying the Lord our God and submitting to service of Him, and to our appointed leaders.
Then in today’s Gospel we are reminded that in the face of opposition, challenges and trials He will come into our presence. Reminding us not to be afraid for He is the Lord our God and He loves us. Before we know it we have arrived at our destination safe and sound! Amen Alleluia
Saint Martin I, pray for us…
________
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.
________
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.
CatholicJules.net 