Second Week of Easter
21st April 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 5:34-42
34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
R/. There is one thing I ask of the Lord, to live in the house of the Lord Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 6:1-15
After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: God’s power is irresistible!
Indicative: Many times, in our corrupt and degenerating world, many evil forces try hard to resist and arrest the good. But we must bear in mind that nothing can suppress good because every good comes from God{alertSuccess}
1. We must appreciate the wisdom of Gamaliel. His logic is divine and simple: if the work of the Apostles about Jesus is God’s work, no human powers can stop it or destroy it. If it is merely human, then it will die by itself.
2. Therefore, when we try to oppose or suppress anything good, we must realise that unconsciously we may be putting ourselves and fighting against God Himself. There is a lot to learn from this wise counsel of Gamaliel.
3. Very many times, many vehemently try to destroy the good because of human factors like jealousy and arrogance or selfish motives. But they are totally unaware that they are running a serious risk. That is becoming rivals and enemies of God Himself. The reason is simple: all good is godly and divine while all evil is devilish.
4. There is again a lot to learn from the Apostles. Evidently, it is their loyalty and perseverance in their faith and witness amidst all threats and persecution. But apart from this, it is their perspective and approach toward suffering itself.
5. They do not resent the adversities. They do not try to run away from them or evade them. They do not lament that they are treated unjustly. They do not condemn their opponents that they will meet with grievous consequences. They do not even call upon God for help to save them from their distress.
6. Instead, they feel great. They consider it a great honour and privilege to suffer for God. Therefore their reaction is abundant joy. They rejoice over their suffering for the sake of the Lord.
7. This is also the perfect attitude of synodality that we are celebrating these recent times. There is “communion, participation and mission”. In the first reading, the Apostles experienced these norms in their testimony to the Lord.
8. In the gospel, these are seen concretely in the miracle of the multiplication of loaves. The Apostles become sharers in the Lord’s intervention. They become actively involved in the whole process.
9. Some of the components are: facing the issue, analysing the difficulties involved in the issue, assessing its gravity, seeking different possibilities to resolve the issue, pooling together the available resources, placing them at the Lord’s disposal and thus leaving it trustfully for his miraculous intervention, distributing them and finally collecting and preserving the leftovers.
Imperative: Our whole perspective toward adversities and afflictions must change. We must not be evasive or depressive or aggressive in times of difficulty. Instead, we must rejoice for being found worthy to become partakers in the same lot of the Master and for his sake{alertSuccess}