…the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews… – Acts 6:1

Do you know why there is such enmity between the Tutsis and the Hutu in Rwanda?
       The story goes that when the Belgians came to Rwanda, they chose the Tutsis to act as their seconds. Reason: The Tutsis were of fairer complexion, had longer, more aquiline noses, and were better looking than the Hutu. Side by side with the Belgians, the Tutsis allegedly lorded it over the Hutu. When the Belgians left and the Hutu were left in power, they had it in for the Tutsi. The result of this tribe vs. tribe conflict was one of the world’s worst cases of genocide.
      Jealousy. Envy. Competition. Preservation of one’s group. This is human. The Hellenists and Hebrews were prey to them as we are. The triggers of these emotions may not even be real, just perceived. The apostles knew that taking on the burden of fixing up human relations would interfere with their preaching of the word. And so they delegated the task to able brothers and sisters. How successful they were we can only surmise from the fact that Christianity lives on today.
      Is your group experiencing factions? Why? Maybe it’s time for your leaders to pick able members from your group… or maybe even outside your group… to care for warring individuals.
      Bridge gaps, don’t build them. Victoria L.

REFLECTION:
How do you respond to conflict?

Thank You, Lord, for helping us see conflict as a way toward growth and better acceptance of one another.

P S A L M

Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19

R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

1 Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. 2 Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the tenstringed lyre chant his praises. (R) 4 Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R)

G O S P E L

John 6:16-21

Jesus wants His disciples to know that He will be with them through the storms and troubles of their lives. They have no need to fear they will be overcome by the world, as he will make sure this will not happen. He is in control. This does not mean that suffering will be avoided, only that there will always be a way through it. It does not mean that difficulties will not be encountered; only that there will always be an answer to them.
  
16 When it was evening, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 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. 20 But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” 21 They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.

my reflections
think: It does not mean that difficulties will not be encountered; only that there will always be an answer to them.

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 God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 22-25

I always find it heartening to read this text as it is important for us all to remember what it is that God wants us to do. There is a seemingly never ending list of things that need to be done, but the real question is which of these things has been assigned to your responsibility. It is no good doing many things that others are supposed to be doing as it will mean that the ones you are supposed to do will not be done and the others will have nothing to do as you are doing it all for them! The apostles recognize that too much administrative type of work was keeping them from their essential mission of preaching the Gospel. Therefore they raised up men, later to be known as deacons, to look after some of this administrative work so that they would be freed to focus on other things.
      It is important to note that this is not saying that one thing is more essential than another but it is an affirmation that in the Church there are roles for each of us to play. God has a will for each of us and our greatest fulfillment will come when we follow His will for our lives and are not just given to doing what we think might be a good thing at the time.
      The further up one moves in the hierarchy of the Church, the more one needs to pay attention to the principle the apostles establish in today’s reading. Too often the bishops and even priests of the Church can become disenfranchised, so to speak, from the people whom they are supposed to serve. All leadership roles are roles of service to the people of God and as such our leaders must seek to be accessible to the people as well as aware of their difficulties and needs. This is a big challenge when there are many administrative demands upon our leaders as well as pastoral ones; perhaps it is time for the Church to examine how it can lessen the administrative responsibilities of its pastoral leaders. Fr. Steve T.

REFLECTION QUESTION: Let us pray for our leaders, both lay and clerical, that in responding to God’s call upon their lives they will always have the grace and strength to make the right decisions regarding where they place their priorities.

Lord Jesus, help me to know precisely what Your plan is for my life so that I may be faithful in contributing to the work of building up the Kingdom of God.

St. Apollo & Companions, martyrs, pray for us.