The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040916.cfm)
reminds me that there is no small task as we work for God.
They
say life is unfair. And in a lot of ways, this is true. There are a lot of
powerful and influential people. But there are more simple and exploited
people. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. The poor,
because of their situation, do not usually get good education. Their
environment is not conducive for learning. Because of this, they do not get the
necessary experience and qualifications, plus they don't have the connections
needed for most important positions in society. They are usually given just
small, menial tasks and roles. However, this is not the same with God.
There is no small task as we work for God. And as we work for him,
all are on equal footing.
In
the first reading, we see that the apostles needed hep with admin tasks - such
as feeding the people and taking care of their physical needs. As leaders,
their focus is on the spiritual aspect, so they asked the people to choose
leaders with good standing and filled with the Spirit and wisdom. Their task
was administrative in nature, not the spiritual one like the apostles, but they
needed to be spiritually strong and mature. This shows that as we work for God, no task is trivial. That God expects
the same spiritual preparation
for us whether we are leading praise and worship or taking out the trash in His
name. This is because a strong spiritual
foundation will enable us to see him in everything we do - however little or
big the world classifies it.
We
all have different talents. We all have different gifts. And sometimes we look
down on ourselves when we realize or when we feel we don't have the gift of
others. We sometimes feel we are so normal and will not be able to offer much
for God. However, we are reminded today that this is not true. Whatever we can
do for God is important. And he expects our best as we do it. He expects us to
prepare spiritually and live right no matter how small we think our service to
him is.
May
we be inspired to do everything the best way we can for God.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder. Lord,
sorry for the times I look down on myself. Sorry for feeling small, for
thinking I have nothing to offer you. Sorry for failing to see the goodness and
the gifts you have given me. Help me live in a way pleasing to you. Help me
prepare spiritually for any task. May I do my best in whatever task you give
me. May I give you my all, my best service in everything. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
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Saturday of the Second Week of Easter
Lectionary: 272
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.
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.
Responsorial Psalm PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ is risen, who made all things;
he has shown mercy on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia
Christ is risen, who made all things;
he has shown mercy on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 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.
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.
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