Multiply His Blessings
May 7: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Today’s Gospel was used (in parts) on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; the first reading appeared two Saturdays ago. You’d think that would make it easier to write today’s reflections, but no! It’s harder. I need to find something new to say; I’m not going to ChatGPT my own blog.
So, anyway, today is late. Sorry!
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.
Jesus had twelve Apostles, but we know that’s not all. Back in January, we heard about Him sending out seventy-two missionaries.1
In this passage, we learn that the Church is getting too big for the current leadership. They have to enlist more aid, the first deacons. As the Church grows, so does the official organization. We need the structure so we can carry out the mission Jesus gave to us, to spread the Good News.
We can’t do it alone.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
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.
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.
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.
The Psalmist isn’t just singing God’s praises alone. He’s calling for help. He wants you to join in with the harp and lyre.
We can’t do it alone.
Reading 2
1 Pt 2:4-9
Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
We’ve all heard “the stone which the builders rejected…” etc, but the last quote, from Isaiah,2 is less well known.3
I like the play on word with “stone,” though. You can build with stone, or you can stub your toe on it. It’s not the stone’s fault; it’s whether or not you’re paying attention to it, how you respond to it.
Some of Jesus’ teachings are tricky, but don’t stumble on them. Definitely don’t reject them! Use them to build your life with.
Alleluia
Jn 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We need Jesus’ help to reach God in heaven; we can’t do it alone.
Gospel
Jn 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way."
Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father."
That last line is strange, isn’t it? How can someone who believes in Jesus do greater works than Him?
Jesus was True God and True Man, right? As a man, He was limited in His time on Earth. He cured many people, he fed thousands, he preached to many more.
But still, He didn’t cure, feed, or preach to everyone. Instead, He allows us to participate in his salvific plan. How many hospitals have Christians built over the centuries? Food banks? And, of course, churches.
Literal miracles do happen, through the intercession of saints and the holy among us. But another, quieter miracle is the fact that Christians have been carrying on Jesus’ work for Millenia.
And don’t forget the miracle that happens at every mass in every Catholic church every single day—the Holy Eucharist. During the preparation of the offerings, the priest says, “through you goodness we have received the bread we offer you; fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.” God doesn’t do everything for us. We don’t eat grain at mass; we have to make bread, first.4 The priest offers it up, with the full participation of the congregation.
We can’t. Do it. Alone.
To me, anyway. Maybe you knew it. If so, why are you reading this? You’re more informed than me.
Same goes for the wine—“through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.”