ACTS 6: 1 – 7.

In these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the Twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Word of the Lord.
 
 
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 33: 1 – 2, 4 – 5, 18 – 19 (R.) 22.

R/. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord.
Or:
Alleluia.

Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;
for praise is fitting for the upright.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp;
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. R/.

For the word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and  right,
and his merciful love fills the earth. R/.

Yes, the Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him,
who hope in his merciful love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine. R/.
 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia.
Christ is risen, who created all things and has had mercy on the human race.
Alleluia.
 

GOSPEL
“They saw Jesus walking on the sea.”
JOHN 6: 16 – 21

When evening came, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capemaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea rose because   a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat. They were frightened, but he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Mugovera 13 Kubvumbi – April;

Vhiki yechipiri yokuMuka kwaJesu –

Chiverengo chokutanga:
Mabasa 6,1-7

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mubhuku raMabasa Avapositori
1 Vadzidzi pavakanga vava kuwanda, vechiGiriki
vakanyunyutira vechiHebheru nokuti chirikadzi
dzavo dzaidarikirwa pakugoverwa kwamazuva ose.
2 Vane gumi navaviri vakaunganidza gungano
ravadzidzi vakati,
“Hazvina kunaka kuti tirege kuparidza shoko
raMwari tichipa zvokudya. 3 Naizvozvo, hama
dzangu sarudzai pakati penyu varume vanomwe,
vane zita rakanaka, vazere neMweya noungwaru,
vatinogona kupa basa iri. 4Asi isu tozvipira kubasa
rokunamata nokuva vashandiri veShoko.”
5Zvavakataura zvakafadza gungano rose. Vakasarudza Sitefani murume akanga azere nekutenda
neMweya Mutsvene, kouya Firipi, naPurokorusi,
naNikanori, koti Timoti, naPemenasi, naNikorausi
wokuAndiyoku, akapindukira kuchiJudha.
6 Vakavaunza pana vapositori. Ivo vakanamata
vakaisa maoko avo pavari.
7Shoko raMwari rakaenderera mberi, uye uwandi
hwavadzidzi hwakakura zvikuru kwazvo muJerusaremu. Vapristi vazhinji vakagamuchirawo
chitendero.
Shoko raTenzi.

Rwiyo rwokutsinhira:
Nziyo 33,1-2.4-5.18-19. (D – 22)

(D) – Tenzi, mwoyochena wenyu ngauve
patiri, sokutarisira kwatinoita kwamuri.
1Farai muna TENZI imi makarurama,
vari pachokwadi ndivo, vanokodzera
kumurumbidza.
2Rumbidzai TENZI nechipendani,
muimbirei nedimbwa rine waya gumi.
(D) – Tenzi, mwoyochena wenyu ngauve
patiri, sokutarisira kwatinoita kwamuri.
4 Shoko raTENZI rakatendeka,
uye basa rake rose rinoitwa muchokwadi.
5Anoda ururami noruenzaniso,
nyika izere nemwoyochena waTENZI.
(D) – Tenzi, mwoyochena wenyu ngauve
patiri, sokutarisira kwatinoita kwamuri.
18 Tarisai muone kuti ziso raTENZI riri pana
vanomutya, riri kune vane chitarisiro kumwoyochena wake
19 kuti avanunure kurufu,
uye kuti avararamise panguva yenzara.
(D) – Tenzi, mwoyochena wenyu ngauve
patiri, sokutarisira kwatinoita kwamuri.

Kupemberera Shoko Rakanaka:
VaRoma 6,9

Areruya, Areruya. Tinoziva kuti Kristu
zvaakamutswa kuvakafa haachazofazve.
Rufu haruchamutongazve. Areruya

Shoko Rakanaka: Johani 6,16-21

Inzwai Shoko Rakanaka rakanyorwa naJohani
16Ava madeko, vadzidzi vaJesu vakadzika kugungwa
17 vakapinda mugwa, vakatangisa kuyambuka
gungwa vachienda kuKapenaumu. Izvozvo kwakanga kwasviba. Uye Jesu akanga asati auya kwavari.
18 Gungwa rakanyanduka nokuda kwemhepo
yaivhuvhuta nesimba. 19 Vadzidzi pavakanga
vakwasva kwamakiromita mashanu kana kuti
matanhatu vakaona Jesu achifamba pamusoro
pegungwa, achiuya pedyo negwa. Vakabva vabatwa
nokutya.
20Asi iye akati kwavari, “Ndini, musatye zvenyu.”
21Naizvozvo vakabva vafara kumugachira mugwa.
Pakarepo igwa rakabva rasvika kumahombekombe
ekwavaienda.
Shoko Rakanaka raTenzi.
GOSPEL REFLECTION: Do Not Be Afraid
April 13, 2024

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. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” John 6:19–20)

On October 22, 1978, Pope Saint John Paul II was inaugurated as the 264th pope of our Holy Church. During his homily, the Holy Father said, “Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power.” The phrase “Do not be afraid” was repeated over and over again throughout his pontificate. In his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, which was written as a preparation for the new millenia, the Holy Father explained the following: “When pronouncing these words in St. Peter’s Square, I already knew that my first encyclical and my entire papacy would be tied to the truth of the Redemption. In the Redemption we find the most profound basis for the words “Be not afraid!”: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (cf. Jn 3:16).

This exhortation against fear is repeated throughout the Bible numerous times. It is found in the Old Testament over a hundred times in some form and in the New Testament over fifty times. Again and again, God wants us to conquer fear, worry, and anxiety. He wants us to trust in Him in all things and place all of our hope in Him.

What is it that you fear the most in life? For some, fear comes on a daily basis. Perhaps you face financial insecurity, poor health, a broken relationship, psychological difficulties, etc. There are numerous things in life that can easily tempt us to fear.

In the Gospel passage for today, Jesus walks toward His disciples on the water during a turbulent time on the Sea of Galilee. The wind was blowing, and the waves were distressing. And though these fishermen had spent many nights on the sea, Jesus chose to come to them at this moment, not so much to help them get to shore but to teach all of us that no matter what “storm” we face in life, He will be there in ways that are truly miraculous. Certainly, none of the disciples ever expected to see Jesus walking on the water in the middle of the night while the waves were crashing upon their boat. But Jesus did this and spoke those words, “Do not be afraid,” because He wanted us to know that no matter what we struggle with in life, He is always there, coming to us in love, and will see us safely to the shore of His peace.

If fear is something you struggle with on a personal level, then turn your eyes to the reality of the Redemption. The Father sent the Son into the world to save you. Jesus did not only come to teach, or to inspire, or to help. He came to save. To redeem. To destroy death, fear, sin and all that keeps us from the Father. His saving act changes humanity forever. If you understand that and believe it, then nothing can steal away your peace and fill you with fear.

Reflect, today, upon this powerful little phrase: “Do not be afraid!” Imagine yourself in the boat with the disciples at night, being tossed by the waves, surrounded by darkness. And then see Jesus coming to you speaking those words. Know that He speaks them to you in the darkest moments of your life and that He will never leave you. Hope in Him and let His saving act of the Redemption transform your life forever.

PRAYER:
Jesus, my Redeemer, I thank You for coming into this world to save us. Thank You for the gift of the Redemption of the world. When I am tempted to fear and turn my eyes to the difficulties of the world, give me the grace I need to turn to You in hope and trust. Enter the storms of my life, dear Lord, and lift my burden of fear. Jesus, I trust in You.