First Reading: Acts 6:1-7

Reflection:

This week’s First Reading recalls the choosing of the first deacons in the Church. Seven men were chosen to fill a role of service. The need for this role arose out of a practical complaint from the “Hellenists,” who were a minority group of Greek-speaking Jewish-background Christians who had immigrated to Jerusalem. The “Hebrews” were native, Hebrew-speaking Jews who made up the majority in the early Christian community. The Hellenists were concerned that their widows, who were some of the most vulnerable in society at this time, were not receiving their share of provisions from “the daily distribution,” which was the food and financial assistance given out to those in need from the pooled resources of the Christian community. The twelve Apostles took seriously this complaint, but realized they themselves could not fulfill it without “neglect[ing] the word of God” (namely, preaching and teaching). In order for the Apostles to be able to “devote [themselves] to prayer and to the ministry of the word,” they chose to appoint men “to serve at table.” In fact, the word “deacon” comes from the root word used here in Greek meaning “to serve” (diakonein). A deacon, therefore, is one called forth to service, particularly through acts of charity and mercy. When the seven men were chosen, the Apostles “prayed and laid hands on them,” indicating their ordination to this special ministry of service, which continues in the Church to this day.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9

Reflection:

Here Peter portrays the Church as a spiritual temple, being built upon the foundation of Christ. Jesus is described as “a living stone” and “a cornerstone.” Peter pulls from multiple passages in the Old Testament to make his point. While Jesus is the foundational “living stone,” we as Christians are like “living stones” that are built upon Jesus into a “spiritual house.” In other words, the Church is made up of many people from different times and places, but we are all part of the same structure, with Jesus as the one foundation. Our call as Christians is to “offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” How do we do this? We put our faith in Jesus and surrender our lives to Him, living always with His will in mind. In other words, we trust and obey Jesus, following Him wherever He leads us. In Christ, we have a new identity. We belong to Him. Let us then walk according to “his wonderful light,” not turning back to the ways of darkness and sin.

Gospel Reading: John 14:1-12

Reflection:

The Apostle John here recounts some of Jesus’ teachings that took place at the Last Supper. In anticipation of His death, Jesus exhorted His followers, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” and then gave them hope for the future, explaining that He was going to “prepare a place” for them, that they may always be with Him. Furthermore, Jesus revealed His oneness with the Father. To know Jesus is to know God the Father, for they are one in being. Jesus is fully God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Jesus also profoundly explained in one of His seven “I AM” statements in the Gospel of John: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the only way to God because He is fully God and fully man. He bridged the great divide between God and humanity caused by sin through His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection. Jesus is also the source of all truth and life. The person of Jesus is the very definition of truth. In fact, He came to earth to reveal the truth of God to humanity. Furthermore, He came to bring life to all of us who are dead in our sins. We need, therefore, to look nowhere else but to Jesus to find the answers in life and to find the path to God. There is no other way to salvation and eternity in heaven but through Jesus, so let us put our trust in Him and faithfully follow Him.

Application:

  • Jesus is the foundation upon which our faith is built. He is also the only way to God. Our faith is truly all about the person of Jesus. Take time to reflect this week on these questions: How am I doing in my relationship with Jesus? Do I trust that He is “the way and the truth and the life”? What can I do to grow in relationship with Jesus and make him more of the center of my life?