DAILY- HOMILY

April 18, 2015 SATURDAY, 2nd Week of Easter

White  

Acts 6:1 – 7 / Jn 6:16 - 21

Reading: Acts 6:1 – 7

     In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together and said, "It is not right that we should neglect te word of God to serve at tables. So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task. As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

     The whole community agreed and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch  who was a proselyte.  They presented these men to the apostles who first prayed over them and then laid hands upon them.

     The Word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly and even many priests accepted the faith. 

Gospel: Jn 6:16 – 21

     When evening came, the disciples went down to the shore. After a while they got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the sea, for it was now dark and Jesus had not yet come to them. But the sea was getting rough because 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 Me; don't be afraid." 

     They wanted to take him into the boat, but immediately the boat was at the shore to which they were going.

Reflection:

     On this Easter weekday, the first reading tells us of the great increase of the number of disciples in the Jerusalem community. With a larger community to be served, there was need to assure that key services and works were properly maintained.

     Prayer and the ministry of the Word remained key and essential for the ministers of the Church. At the same time there were service ministries of food distribution to those in need. Because of the larger numbers, some in need were being neglected.  Priorities were then very important: "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables."  

     The solution of the early Church was the selection of "respected men full of Spirit and wisdom" for the important task of waiting at tables and distributing food to widows and the needy. These men would then be missioned these tasks,

     Thus the early Church established the order of deacons to assist bishops and priests in the Christian communities. The seven men initially chosen were then "presented to the apostles who first prayed over them and laid hands over them."

     Selection and appointment to ministry in the Church had preliminary requirements ("respected men full of Spirit and wisdom) and acceptance by the apostles through prayer and the laying of hands.

     Today official ministrty in the Church requires formal training and formation in seminaries and acceptance by the Church through ordination to the deaconate, priesthood or episcopacy by laying of hands of a bishop.

     Let us keep our bishops, priests and deacons who compose the ordained ministers of the Church in our prayers. Let us pray that the Lord of the harvest may keep on attracting many to such ministry and life in the Church. 

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     ELMER MANZANILLA

     FOREST FRANCIS TAN

     MIKE P. DEL CARMEN

     RICHMON CHUA HWAN

     TERENCE GOTAMCO TAN

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     DIANA DY-CHIUTEN

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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