Saturday, April 9 2016 - Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

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.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ is risen, who made all things;
he has shown mercy on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

REFLECTION

TESTING OUT

"The apostles for their part left the Sanhedrin full of joy that they had been judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of the Name." –Acts 5:41

Jesus "tested" his apostles (see e.g. Jn 6:6). His tests were designed to prepare them for future tests. They didn't always pass these tests. The Jewish Sanhedrin also tested the apostles, very severely. The apostles passed the tests beautifully; they could not be defeated or suppressed. Scourging only caused the apostles to rejoice all the more, and persevere with even more joy. Jesus' death did not cause His ministry to die, as happened with Theudas and Judas the Galilean (see Acts 5:36-37). Rather, Jesus' death spurs us to rejoice and witness and proclaim Him all the more.

Jesus is "the Tester of our hearts" (1 Thes 2:4). He doesn't test us to punish us. Rather, He tests us as would any good teacher, to enable their students to expand and grow. A military drill sergeant tests his soldiers to strengthen and prepare them to withstand and overcome the attacks of the enemy. If the enemy's onslaught was the first time the soldiers had faced adversity, they may not be "battle-tested" enough to gain victory. The Holy Spirit can infuse us with the grace to overcome the most severe first-time tests. However, Jesus' plan is to test His disciples over their period of formation before releasing them to the world for the tests of discipleship, evangelization, and mission.

"No test has been sent you that does not come to all men. Besides, God keeps His promise. He will not let you be tested beyond your strength. Along with the test He will give you a way out of it so that you may be able to endure it" (1 Cor 10:13).

PRAYER:	Father, fill me with total trust in You that I may pass Your tests with rejoicing.
PROMISE:	"Jesus then took the loaves of bread, gave thanks, and passed them around." –Jn 6:11
PRAISE:	Widowhood tested Jane's faith, but now she looks to her Bridegroom in all things.

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