Reading 1
Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the Apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Gospel
Jn 6:16-21
When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea,
embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum.
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing.
When they had rowed about three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,
and they began to be afraid.
But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
They wanted to take him into the boat,
but the boat immediately arrived at the shore
to which they were heading.
Meditation: Acts 6:1-7
So they chose Stephen. (Acts 6:5)
After being filled with the Spirit at Pentecost, the apostles began to proclaim the risen Lord with boldness. As a result, the infant church grew day by day. But with such rapid increase came growing pains too!
One of the challenges lay in the distribution of resources that members of the church had donated for those in need: “The Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected” (Acts 6:1). At this very early stage in the church, all the believers were Jewish. However, some—the “Hebrews”—were natives of Palestine who spoke the local Aramaic and used the Hebrew scriptures in their worship. Others were Jews of the Diaspora—immigrants to Jerusalem who had been born and raised in other countries. They were called “Hellenists” because they spoke Greek and they used a Greek translation of Scripture in their worship. It seems that the “Hebrews” looked down on the “Hellenists” because they were foreigners.
The apostles didn’t abandon preaching God’s word to handle this problem. Rather, they proposed that the community select reliable men to make sure that no one was overlooked. And so the church resolved its first internal crisis in a way that preserved unity and provided for the care of the needy.
This sounds a bit like our church today. There aren’t enough priests to go around, and occasionally people fall through the cracks. That’s why it is important that we all keep our eyes open for those who could use some help. Both within and beyond our parish communities, there are many places where we can bring the presence of Christ—places that an everyday priest simply cannot reach.
Do you feel that God is asking you to meet a special need? Don’t ignore these urgings! They may well be the beginning of a new season in your life. And like the men chosen in today’s reading, your service may lead you to become more fully empowered by the Spirit of the Lord!
“Lord, I want to say yes to your call. Help me serve your people with love and generosity. Make us all one body, Lord!”
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