In the Reading From the Acts Of
the Apostles
Acts 6:1-7
This reading shows that the word of God continues to spread in and through human beings. There is dissension between the Greek and Hebrew speaking members of the congregation ---a very human occurrence. But the ministry of the word, service to one another and the Spirit of Jesus combine to keep them together. Indeed "the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him."
The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him
in your self-giving.
In the Reading, From the First Letter of Saint Peter
1 Pt 2:4-9
The First Reading showed a congregation as it is at the grass-roots level: human beings kept together by the Spirit of Jesus. This reading tells baptismal candidates what the Church is at the level of faith: a temple (the place of God's presence ) of which the members are the living stones, a people sharing in the royal priesthood of the Lord Jesus, a consecrated nation, s people God claims as his own.
The citations from the Old Testament bring out that it is the Lord Jesus who as a cornerstone keeps those " living stones" together. The Church is a community of believers who want to be witnesses of God's presence in the midst of life.
In the Gospel of Luke
Lk 14:1-12
It is through Jesus that we have access to the Father: " Jesus said [Thomas] "I am the way" It is through the same Jesus that we can know the Father : " Jesus said to [Philip] . . . "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" The Lord Jesus is God's word to us. The point is that we must open up to God's word. The "kairos (time of favor) should be utilized. God's grace is freely offered, but it must be accepted and used well.
