Scripture: Acts 6:1-7. Psalm 33. John 6:16-21. Lectionary # 272:

Luke is the Evangelist of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles
which could also be named the Acts of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit appears
seventy times! In the scene given for today, the Holy Spirit is at work
with the Apostles as they select and anoint seven Spirit-filled men to take
care of the poor among the Hellenist Jews. These are probably those who
came to Jerusalem from Alexandria in Africa and from Turkey. The Judean
widows were being taken care of , but not the Hellenists. The community
in cooperation with the Spirit see to it that the poor are helped no matter
where or who they are. The imposition of hands upon them by the Twelve
means that the power of the Spirit through the Apostles is conferred on
them. These seven will also heal people (Acts 6:8), and evangelize and
baptize (Acts 8:12, 38. 21:8). The community will continue to grow and to
convert some Jewish priests. The Gospel for today centers on Jesus and
another of the seven signs given in the Gospel of John. Here he walks on
the water of the only fresh water lake in Israel, Lake Gennesereth. The
boat is a symbol of the Christian community; it is Jesus who will bring it
to safe shores with the passengers unharmed. So while the first reading
centers on the work of the Spirit, the second centers on Jesus' miraculous
powers. Key to the passage is Jesus' identifying himself, "Do not fear! It
is I." Isn't it true that fear paralyzes us and we are not able to think
straight or do things well. We often shy away from expression of faith and
witnessing to the Gospel. Catholics refrain from taking holy water,
blessing themselves, or genuflecting sometimes out of fear or just to be
"with it." Perfect love, we know from I John casts out all fear. Once we
realize that Jesus is present we are free from fear and if we remain with
the believing companions in the boat we are brought to safe shores. We
need to have great trust in the Lord at all times but especially when we
recognize fear is entering into our hearts. Recalling what Jesus says, "It
is I" (Ego eimi) we can sure that we will be safe. Amen.