10 April 2027 · Latin Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malankara Rite · Syro-Malabar Rite · മലയാളം
“But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”” John 6:20
The young Church has its first internal crisis, and it is about food and fairness. The disciples are increasing in number, and “the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.” The Hellenists were Jewish believers who spoke Greek and had come from the lands of the dispersion; the Hebrews spoke Aramaic and belonged to the land. Two cultures in one community, and the poorest, the widows, were falling between them. The apostles do not ignore the complaint or blame anyone. They call the whole community together and propose a solution: “select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom,” to serve the tables, “while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” All seven chosen have Greek names: the community entrusts the care of the neglected to people from the neglected group. The apostles pray and lay their hands on them. The Church has long seen in this scene the beginnings of the diaconate, a ministry of service ordained by the laying on of hands (Catechism 1569–1571). And the result: “The word of God continued to spread… and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” A problem honestly faced became a moment of growth.
In the Gospel, after the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples go down to the sea in the evening and set out by boat for Capernaum. John adds a quiet, heavy sentence: “It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.” The sea becomes rough with a strong wind. They have rowed three or four miles when they see Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, “and they were terrified.” Then he speaks: “It is I; do not be afraid.” In Greek it is simply ego eimi, I AM, the name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. The One who multiplied the loaves is the Lord of creation who walks on the chaos of the waters, as the Psalms say only God can do. When they want to take him into the boat, “immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.” The Church has often been pictured as a boat on a dark sea. Today's two readings belong together: in the first, the boat of the Church meets a storm from within, quarrels and neglect; in the second, a storm from outside. In both, the risen Lord comes across the water and says the same words: It is I; do not be afraid.
Theme: “It is I; do not be afraid.”
The forgotten widows, the seven servants, and the Lord who walks on the dark sea.
“who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18
“Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task,” Acts 6:3
Apply: Find out this week whether any widow or elderly person in your area lacks food, medicine or company, and do something about it.
“For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.” Psalm 33:4
“while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” Acts 6:4
Apply: Pray by name for your parish priest and for a deacon you know, and offer to take on one task that frees them for prayer.
“he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:29–30
“Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.” John 6:21
Apply: Write “It is I; do not be afraid” on a card and keep it where you will see it each morning.
A Church that listens to complaints and cares for the forgotten grows in the word of God.
In every storm, from within or without, the risen Lord comes and says: It is I.
Take-home resolution: Visit or call one lonely elderly person every week of Eastertide.
Dear friends, the first Church had a problem. Some widows were being forgotten in the daily distribution of food. The Greek-speaking believers complained. The apostles did not say: everything is fine. They listened, called everyone together and found a solution: seven men full of the Spirit and of wisdom, chosen to serve (Acts 6:3).
Look at the result. The forgotten widows were cared for, the apostles could give themselves to prayer and the word, and the word of God spread. A complaint, when it is heard with humility, can become a grace. Every parish has its forgotten widows. Who are they in ours?
In the Gospel the disciples are rowing at night against a strong wind. John says: it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them (John 6:17). Many of us know that feeling. Then they see Jesus walking on the water, and he says: it is I; do not be afraid (John 6:20). In Greek it is simply: I AM, the name of God.
The storm may come from inside, like the quarrel over the widows, or from outside, like the wind on the sea. In both, the risen Lord comes to us. Today at this altar he comes again, and says: it is I. Let us take him into our boat, and trust that he will bring us to the shore. Alleluia. Amen.
Children, the friends of Jesus were in a boat at night, and a big wind was blowing. They were afraid. Then Jesus came walking on the water and said: It is I; do not be afraid! When you are scared at night, you can say: Jesus, you are with me. I am not afraid!
Lord Jesus, you walked on the stormy sea and said to your frightened disciples: It is I; do not be afraid. Come to us in every storm, from within and from without. Give your Church ministers full of the Spirit and of wisdom, who will care for the forgotten, and keep our pastors faithful to prayer and the service of the word. Let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.