Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. Whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.
For the Lord's word is right. All his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord.
Behold, the Lord's eye is on those who fear him, On those who hope in his loving kindness, To deliver their soul from death, To keep them alive in famine.
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea. They entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them. The sea was tossed by a great wind blowing. When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid. But he said to them, "It is I. Don't be afraid." They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
The early Church faced a very modern problem: how to balance competing priorities when resources are limited. The apostles found themselves caught between preaching the Gospel and ensuring widows received their daily bread. Rather than trying to do everything themselves, they recognized the wisdom of shared ministry and appointed seven deacons to serve the community's practical needs.
Notice how this wasn't seen as relegating anyone to "lesser" work. The men chosen were required to be "full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom" – the same qualities we'd expect in any church leader. The early Christians understood something we sometimes forget: there's no hierarchy between spiritual care and practical service. Both are sacred work.
This wisdom echoes in the Gospel, where Jesus walks across stormy waters to reach his frightened disciples. When they see him approaching, their first reaction is fear – perhaps they don't immediately recognize him in the darkness and chaos. But Jesus speaks those familiar words: "It is I. Don't be afraid." The moment they welcome him into their boat, they find themselves safely at their destination.
Both passages reveal how God meets us through community and presence. Sometimes we need others to handle the practical details of life so we can focus on prayer and ministry. Other times, we're called to be the ones serving tables, ensuring no one is overlooked or forgotten. And always, we need to recognize Jesus approaching us – even when circumstances make it hard to see clearly.
The disciples were willing to receive Jesus into their boat, trusting despite their initial fear. That willingness transformed their struggle into swift arrival at their destination.
How might we better recognize when God is calling us to practical service versus contemplative ministry? What fears keep us from welcoming Jesus more fully into our daily struggles?