Easter Reflection - Gamaliel

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in those moments when we are frustrated by what is going on in our nation, our society, and perhaps even in our parishes and families, we need only to remind ourselves of what Gamaliel said to the others in the Sanhedrin.

Gamaliel said to them, "So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." Then, we pray with confidence: "Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you."

Today's reading is a good reminder that the things that are of God are eternal. And, although it might seem like a long time when we are living through it, the things that are not of God will eventually pass into oblivion, just as Theudas and Judas the Galilean did. For our part, we stay true to the Way, the Truth, and the Life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and, as hard as it may be, know with confidence that the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

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Gospel of the Day

Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.

A large crowd followed him,

because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.

Jesus went up on the mountain,

and there he sat down with his disciples.

The Jewish feast of Passover was near.

When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,

he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"

He said this to test him,

because he himself knew what he was going to do.

Philip answered him,

"Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough

for each of them to have a little."

One of his disciples,

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,

"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;

but what good are these for so many?"

Jesus said, "Have the people recline."

Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.

So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,

and distributed them to those who were reclining,

and also as much of the fish as they wanted.

When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,

"Gather the fragments left over,

so that nothing will be wasted."

So they collected them,

and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments

from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,

"This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."

Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off

to make him king,

he withdrew again to the mountain alone.