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.
Responsorial Psalm 32(33):1-2,4-5,18-19
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
or
Alleluia!
Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;
for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp,
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
For the word of the Lord is faithful
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right
and fills the earth with his love.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
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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Experiencing Jesus alive
In their state of alarm and fright, the disciples could not see and believe that Jesus was real and alive. They needed Jesus to show them that He was truly risen. Patiently, He brought them to experience Him living and present in their midst: “Look at my hands and feet…Touch me and see for yourselves.” He opened their minds to understand His words and actions: “…the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead…”.
With the same patience, Jesus never stops bringing us to experience Him alive and present, reassuring us that we are not alone as we walk through life. In moments of suffering, Jesus accompanies us as someone who knows by experience what suffering means. We feel His closeness through the acts of love from those around us and in the Eucharist. His Word lights our way so we can follow Him with faith and understanding. Let us then be strengthened to give witness through how we walk in hope with the risen Jesus.
Reflective question:
How have I experienced Jesus alive today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
