Second Week of Easter
12th April 2024 (Friday)
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 5:34-42
In those days: A Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honour by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 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. 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. 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; 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, 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. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name. 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. 4ac)
R/. There is one thing I ask of the Lord, to live in the house of the Lord
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Man shall not live by bread alone, but be every word that comes from the mouth of God.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 6:1-15
At that time: Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 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. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 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
Friday – Second Week of Easter
Guidelines: God is always sensitive to our needs and problems. He never abandons us to our fate, to struggle by ourselves. He intervenes at the right time and changes the situation
1. The gospel narrates the miracle of multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand. It is not a mere miracle that displays the power of Jesus. It is a testimony of the care and concern of God for the suffering humanity. There is so much hunger and sickness. The world is hungry for healing and health, for feeding and nourishment.
2. It is notable that it is Jesus who senses the need of the hungry people and asks, “How are we to provide bread for them to eat?” God always takes the initiative to enter into our difficult situations and alleviate our pain.
3. However, God wants our contribution to join with His action. What we contribute may be very little. Five loaves and two fish will be nowhere to feed five thousand. But there is nothing to worry about. All that is needed is to pool together all our available resources and place them at the Lord’s disposal. We need to submit to him what we have. Once touched and blessed by him, even our very little becomes big and more.
4. When we cooperate with God’s grace, our little will become abundant. It will not only give what is sufficient to remove the need but will also lead to ‘reserve’. Not only the five thousand are well-fed but also twelve baskets still remain with the leftovers.
5. This is the spirit of cooperation that drove the apostles in their mission. They trusted not in their human capacities or resources but in God’s mighty power. They knew that they were doing God’s work and so nothing would stop them.
6. The wise Pharisee, Gamaliel too realises this. That is why he wisely counsels the other authorities not to put deliberate obstacles in the way of the apostles. For, if it is really God’s work, they would be opposing God Himself. If it is not God’s work, they need not stop it. Their mission will die by itself in course of time.
Practice: Even amidst trials and afflictions, the apostles would rejoice. The more they were persecuted, the more they were happy and strong. For they considered it a great honour to suffer something for their Lord
