The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the trust we develop in Providence to bring us to safety when we encounter storms that may raise our fear as we serve the people in our environment.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents The Need for Assistants to serve the community.
* [6:1–7] The Hellenists…the Hebrews: the Hellenists were not necessarily Jews from the diaspora, but were more probably Palestinian Jews who spoke only Greek. The Hebrews were Palestinian Jews who spoke Hebrew or Aramaic and who may also have spoken Greek. Both groups belong to the Jerusalem Jewish Christian community. The conflict between them leads to a restructuring of the community that will better serve the community’s needs. The real purpose of the whole episode, however, is to introduce Stephen as a prominent figure in the community whose long speech and martyrdom will be recounted in Acts 7. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 33 praises God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22).
* [Psalm 33] A hymn in which the just are invited (Ps 33:1–3) to praise God, who by a mere word (Ps 33:4–5) created the three-tiered universe of the heavens, the cosmic waters, and the earth (Ps 33:6–9). Human words, in contrast, effect nothing (Ps 33:10–11). The greatness of human beings consists in God’s choosing them as a special people and their faithful response (Ps 33:12–22). (Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus calms the fear of the Apostles when Walking on the Water.
* [6:16–21] The fifth sign is a nature miracle, portraying Jesus sharing Yahweh’s power. Cf. the parallel stories following the multiplication of the loaves in Mk 6:45–52 and Mt 14:22–33.
* [6:19] Walking on the sea: although the Greek (cf. Jn 6:16) could mean “on the seashore” or “by the sea” (cf. Jn 21:1), the parallels, especially Mt 14:25, make clear that Jesus walked upon the water. John may allude to Jb 9:8: God “treads upon the crests of the sea.”
* [6:20] It is I: literally, “I am.” See also notes on Jn 4:26 and Mk 6:50. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Laura Roost comments that in this time and watching world news it can be hard to remember that the earth is full of the kindness of the Lord.
This is not unique to our time, of course. I am reminded through faithful homilies that weekly challenge us to return the following week able to offer our everyday lived faith in community from the past week back to God the following week. It is lived faith in community and everyday life that makes us able to see both the outrages of the world, and the kindness of the Lord through which hope comes. In the end the kindness is there – it is up to us to cling to Christ and live Easter hope everyday. As we end thinking about the ways the earth is full of the kindness of the Lord – even now – I share a helpful prayer from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith:
“Help us to embrace the world You have given us, that we may transform the darkness of its pain into the life and joy of Easter.” (Roost, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes Christ our physician, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"God sent the human race a physician, a savior, One Who healed without charging a fee. Christ also came to reward those who would be healed by Him. Christ heals the sick, and He makes a gift to those whom He heals. And the gift that He makes is Himself!" (excerpt from Sermon 102,2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:16-21 comments that Jesus doesn’t always jump into our boats and tell us exactly why we shouldn’t be afraid. In fact, sometimes he doesn’t immediately calm our “storms.” Instead, he gives us the opportunity to exercise our faith and decide how we will respond. He knows that’s how we grow in wisdom and trust in him.
Look back on a difficult situation in your life. Were there times when it felt as if you were all on your own—as if even Jesus wasn’t there to help? But now, using 20/20 hindsight, can you see how he really was there, patiently guiding you to the shore? Think about how that experience actually made you stronger and built your faith, maybe in ways you never expected.
Interestingly, all three versions of this story ( Matthew 14:22–33., Mark 6:45–52, and John 6:16-21 ) have one key point in common: Jesus tells the disciples not to be afraid. That message is for you, too! When you’re in the dark, tossed about, know that Jesus is closer than you may think. Let that truth calm your fears and strengthen your faith!
“Jesus, thank you for leading me through the storms of my life.” (Meditation on John 6:16-21, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts 2 and 4 we see a united community but in Acts 6 we realize that always wasn’t the case the Greek widows were not receiving the needed assistance to the same degree as the Hebrew widows. The phrase “deacons” is based on the Greek word to serve. The “first deacon”, Stephen, would both assist in charity and preach. Did the first deacons proclaim the Good News too? Friar Jude continues to comment on the connection of the miracle of the loaves to Psalm 23 and in today’s Gospel there is a resonance with “Beside restful waters” as sign of Jesus protection and satisfaction of the deepest hunger of our hearts.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, writes at the Center for Action and Contemplation, we seek to ground compassionate action in contemplative, nondual consciousness. When we experience the reality of our oneness with God, others, and creation, actions of justice and healing naturally follow. If we’re working to create a more whole world, contemplation will give our actions nonviolent, loving power for the long haul.
The civil rights leader John Lewis (1940–2020) has been an inspiration to many of us. How did this saintly public man avoid deeper recognition for so long? His words read like a prayer for contemplative action:
Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. Know that the truth always leads to love and the perpetuation of peace. Its products are never bitterness and strife. Clothe yourself in the work of love, in the revolutionary work of nonviolent resistance against evil. Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this planet with goodness. Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge. Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation wisely, but when it is your time don’t be afraid to stand up, speak up, and speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)
We affirm the action of the Spirit as we contemplate the calm and peace we receive when working in service of the needs of the community.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/6?1
John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?16
Meditation on John 6:16-21. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/18/1545853/
Psalms, PSALM 33 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/33?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Contemplation, Liberation, and Action: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-18-2026
Roost, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-18-2026
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Said: "It Is I - Do Not Be Afraid". Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 18, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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