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.

JOHN 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.

If we were on a boat in the middle of a tempestuous sea, we probably would also be very afraid and anxious. Perhaps we would be close to panic as we sat helplessly at the mercy of the waves of a dark ocean. And if we saw Jesus walking on water, what would our reaction be?

Perhaps for many of us, it would be a sense of awe but at the same time that of fear. For no matter how much we believe in Jesus, and because of our being human, we would not be prepared to accept a man capable of walking on stormy water.

Jesus’ walk on water was how Jesus tests the faith of his disciples. Even as their faith falters, the disciples would remember this experience and learn from it. Perhaps their unrelenting faith in spreading the Good News after Jesus’ Ascension was built on this experience.

Jesus walks towards us every day. Do we respond to him? Have we experience Jesus walking towards or with us especially during our darkest times? Do we acknowledge him and build our faith in him? Or do we try to deny and turn away because of fear?

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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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