“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.” (ACTS 6: 2-4)
The Church is a community with talents and gifts, structured hierarchically: „It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.” The most important work in the Church is to proclaim the Good News, „prayer, and the ministry of the word.” It doesn’t mean that the “service at the table” is in opposition to prayer or spiritual life: they „select seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom.” In every society we have different services; when they are based on „the Spirit and wisdom,” they support each other and serve to the same end.
„Christ is risen, who made all things; he has shown mercy on all people.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” (ACTS 5: 38-39)
This rule applies to so many situations in the life of the Church, not only at the beginning—like the Apostles’ time, but also today. Every initiative meets some difficulties, some rejection or criticism; it is so important to distinguish—”if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin or if it comes from God.” Patience, humility, dependence and fidelity while carrying out the mission received from Him will bring even more fruits.
“One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (ACTS 5: 29-32)
The Holy Spirit is always assisting those who are in mission to proclaim the Good News. “We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit” serves as a constant experience in the lives of so many of us: when giving advice to a friend, when preaching or teaching, when praying or meditating—the Holy Spirit “is given to those who obey God.”
“You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!”
„But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, ‚Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.’” (ACTS 5: 19-20)
„Tell the people everything about this life” said „the angel of the Lord” to the imprisoned Apostles. Only this life, the gift of God’s only-begotten Son, can give us eternal life. They received, with the gift of freedom, a great responsibility to proclaim the Good News. They did not receive freedom to relax or hide; they received freedom to serve: „Go and take your place in the temple area,” where again they would be in danger. The goal is absolutely worthy of this danger: „that everyone who believes in Him might have eternal life.”
„God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.”
„The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.” (ACTS 4: 33)
The beginning of the Church is based on the Apostles’ „witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” This is the main activity of the Apostles, and everything is a just a result of this: „The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.”
„The Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Gospel Acclamation)
Annunciation of the Lord
„Mary said, ‚Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” (LK 1: 38)
The end of this dialog started the redemption of humankind. Mary was asked by the angel to accept the invitation from God to become His Son’s mother. Our Lady asked only one question, just to be sure that this message came from God, and finished with totally acceptance—„I am the handmaid of the Lord.” From this moment our lives changed. We are no more alone, abandoned or misunderstood. Our Lord came to take care of us with the humble assistance of Our Lady. „The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
„The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and we saw his glory.” (Gospel Acclamation)
„Jesus said to them again, ‚Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‚Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.’” (JN 20: 21-23)
„He breathed on them”—we are witnessing the new life of the Apostles: the same way that God breathed on the first man and gave him life, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus. This „breath of God” brings us the sacrament of penance: „whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.” With the Holy Spirit and forgiveness, we receive God’s grace and again and again new life. On this Divine Mercy Sunday, Our Lord comes to us with a new grace and a strong blessing: „blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe.” Every sacrament of penance brings us closer to God, refreshes our relationship with Him and encourages us to be His witnesses.
„You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord; blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe!”
„But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, ‚Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.’” (MK 16: 14-15)
„Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature”—quite a strange conclusion after the beginning of this paragraph: „he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised.” Our Lord doesn’t look for mistakes or weaknesses; He always looks for places where we can grow, places where we can mature and be better. And He always trusts us—„go and proclaim,” not because we are perfect, but because the Gospel speaks about God’s love for us, and this is the most important message we need to share.
„This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, ‚Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.’” (ACTS 4: 8-10)
Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” is a totally different person: wise, courageous, and humble. He spoke about Our Lord as a witness, as an Apostle and leader of this community. And whatever he said was about Jesus Christ: “in His name this man stands before you healed”—”all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ.” “Let us be glad and rejoice in it.”
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Gospel Acclamation)
