Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Servants In The Spirit
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
The apostles were looking for disciples to serve the material needs of the people. They were supposed to be servants filled with the Spirit of wisdom, who would see the needs of their brethren, just and fair in distributing the food and help needed. It takes sensitivity to feel who is needy and what they need. The apostles set Stephen and his companions aside for this task.
This reading also says that the first duty of the Church is the proclamation of the Good News. And the Good News says, “Christ is always staying with his Church in times of trials and the tempest of all times.”
Prayer
Lord God,
in our day, we need men and women
filled with the Spirit of love and service
who are attentive to the needs of people.
Let them listen, even to the unspoken cries
of people too timid to voice out
their poverty and distress
and help without condescension
their brothers and sisters of Christ,
for he is our Lord for ever.
First Reading
Institution of the Seven
In those days, as the number of disciples increased, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called the entire group of disciples together and said:
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at tables.
So, friends, choose seven respected men among yourselves, full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task.
As for us, we will dedicate ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
The entire community agreed, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus, and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They introduced these men to the apostles, who first prayed over them and then laid hands on them.
The word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem grew significantly, and even many priests accepted the faith.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ is risen, who made all things;
he has shown mercy on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus Walks on Water
When evening arrived, the disciples headed down to the shore.
After a while, they boarded a boat to go to Capernaum on the other side of the sea, because it was getting dark and Jesus had not yet joined them.
The sea was becoming rough as 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 they were heading to.
Prayers of the Faithful
– That the Church may preach the Good News of the Lord in and out of season, even when the world does not like the message, we pray:
– That our communities may always attend the whole person, of its actual and prospective members, in their material and spiritual needs, we pray:
– That we may have the fullest trust in the presence of the Lord when we are tried, and not forget to be present to the people in distress, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God,
here are our simple gifts of bread and wine.
Let your Holy Spirit change them
into Christ, your Son among us,
and let him change us, your people,
into servants ready to help
those in need,
especially those deprived of love
and those who have hardly experienced
what true justice is.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Our saving God,
when we are tossed about
on the rough waves of life,
calm our fears and tell us:
“Do not be afraid, I am here with you.”
Make us aware of the presence
of you and of your Son, Jesus,
in the difficulties of life.
Make us people of hope and faith
who keep trusting in you at all times.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
Communities worthy of that name care for the needy among them. But there are also spiritual needs, of people who are tired, confused, mourning. As the Lord is with us, let us stand by their side, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTION:
John 6:16-21
Do not be afraid
John is perhaps trying to present the state of the Church when he wrote the Gospel – The community was faced with tensions on various fronts. Believers were persecuted for their faith. The Church was like a boat caught in the storms of the sea. They panicked and were losing hope because Jesus was not with them on the boat.
This gospel passage reveals some facts: (1) Jesus watches everyone. He does not forget them. Jesus may not make things easy for us, but he lets us fight our own battles.
(2) Jesus comes. He comes walking on the waters to enable the disciples to make the last pull to reach to safety. When our strength is failing, he comes in support for the last effort, which leads to victory. In the Semitic culture, the sea was considered the abode of the devil. Jesus’ walking over the sea meant he had defeated the powers of the devil and was accompanying the boat of the disciples – the Church. And his reassuring message is, “It is I, do not be afraid.”
(3) Jesus helps. He watches, and he comes and helps. It is the wonder of the Christian life that there is nothing that we are left to do alone. When frightened and losing all hope of overcoming the tempests and turbulence of life in the world, the comforting message of the Lord is always there, accompanying us: “Do not be afraid. I am with you.”