Building Faith Through Service

Welcome to ourWelcome to our
Bible StudyBible Study
55thth
Sunday of Easter ASunday of Easter A
14 May 201714 May 2017
In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharingIn aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst
reading: Acts 6:1-7reading: Acts 6:1-7
• 1 As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows were being neglected in the
daily distribution. 2 So the Twelve called
together the community of the disciples and said,
"It is not right for us to neglect the word of God
to serve at table. 3 Brothers, select from among
you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit
and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task,
4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word." 5 The proposal
was acceptable to the whole community, so they
chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the
holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to
Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the
apostles who prayed and laid hands on them.
The focus is on the ministry of the apostles and deacons.

11stst
The Problem
• 1 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the
Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their
widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
The Solution
• 2 So the Twelve called together the community of the
disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word
of God to serve at table. 3 Brothers, select from among
you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall
devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the
word.“
The 7 Deacons
• 5 The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so
they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy
Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They
presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid
hands on them.
A Simple Outline!

11stst
The Problem
• 1 As the number of
disciples continued to
grow, the Hellenists
complained against the
Hebrews because their
widows were being
neglected in the daily
distribution.
The Solution
• 2 So the Twelve called
together the community of
the disciples and said, "It
is not right for us to
neglect the word of God to
serve at table. 3
Brothers, select from
among you seven
reputable men, filled with
the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to
this task, 4 whereas we
shall devote ourselves to
prayer and to the ministry
of the word.“
Commentary
• V.1 recognizes the problem brought about
by the growth in number of the disciples.
• The Hellenists are Greeks; Hebrews are
the Jews. These are old terms referring to
the Greeks and the Jews respectively.
• The Hellenists feel their widows are
neglected in the daily distribution (of food).
• V.2 shows that the 12 apostles are
determined in the work of evangelization.
• They react to the complaint of the
Hellenists (who find the services of the
apostles wanting).
• So, the apostles propose to choose 7
deacons:
– Reputable men
– Filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, v.3
– They will concentrate on the material needs
of the Hellenistic widows.
– While the apostles will concentrate on
prayer and the ministry of the word. V.4

11stst
The 7 Deacons
• 5 The proposal was
acceptable to the whole
community, so they
chose Stephen, a man
filled with faith and the
holy Spirit, also Philip,
Prochorus, Nicanor,
Timon, Parmenas, and
Nicholas of Antioch, a
convert to Judaism. 6
They presented these
men to the apostles who
prayed and laid hands
on them.
• The apostles’ authoritative
opinion is acceptable to the
community.v.5
• The names of the 7 men chosen
by the community are:
1. Stephen
2. Philip
3. Prochorus
4. Nicanor
5. Timon
6. Parmenas
7. Nicholas of Antioch
• In turn, the people present these
men to the apostles and the
apostles pray and lay hands on
them. V.6

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst
readingreading
• Church’s ministries are not only for the spiritual
needs.
• They are to answer also the material needs of the
people, esp. the poor.
• We cannot be a good church if we are only after
good liturgies, preaching and prayer meetings.
• We must take care of the poor and the sick, who
can’t take care of themselves.
• As a church, we must be organized to meet
everybody’s needs.
• God desires total salvation and liberation of the
human being: material and spiritual.

Resp. Ps. 33:1-2,4-5,18-19Resp. Ps. 33:1-2,4-5,18-19
• R. (22) 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 ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
• 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.
• 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.

Resp. Ps. 33:1-2,4-5,18-19Resp. Ps. 33:1-2,4-5,18-19
• R. (22) 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 ten-
stringed lyre chant his
praises.
• 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.
• 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.
Commentary
• In vv.1-2, the psalmist addresses
himself to the just (God-fearing people,
upright).
• He asks them to exult, give thanks and
praise God.
• In v.4 the psalmist affirms that the word
and works of God are upright and
trustworthy, respectively.
• In v.5, the psalmist affirms that God is a
lover of justice and righteousness.
• The psalmist also sees that the world is
full of God’s kindness (mercy).
• In vv.18-19, the psalmist encourages
everyone to be God-fearing and God-
hoping.
• God takes care of them and spares
them from death.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm
• If we are God-fearing, we give praise to God.
We recognize his power and his love.
• Let us remember that if we are righteous and
just, God protects us from harm and death.
• To be under God’s protection always, we must
live holy and righteous lives.
• We do not violate his laws.

22ndnd
reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
• 4 Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God, 5 and, like
living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to
be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in scripture:
"Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen
and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to
shame." 7 Therefore, its value is for you who have faith,
but for those without faith: "The stone which the builders
rejected has become the cornerstone," 8 and "A stone that
will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them
fall." They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their
destiny. 9 But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce
the praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.
The focus is on the stone (Christ).

22ndnd
Living stone
• 4 Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but
chosen and precious in the sight of God, 5 and, like living
stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a
holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
Cornerstone
• 6 For it says in scripture: "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it
shall not be put to shame." 7 Therefore, its value is for you
who have faith, but for those without faith: "The stone which
the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," 8 and "A
stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make
them fall." They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their
destiny.
Chosen race
• 9 But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the
praises" of him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.
A simple outline!

22ndnd
Living stone
• 4 Come to him, a
living stone,
rejected by
human beings but
chosen and
precious in the
sight of God, 5
and, like living
stones, let
yourselves be
built into a
spiritual house to
be a holy
priesthood to
offer spiritual
sacrifices
acceptable to God
through Jesus
Christ.
Commentary
• The author / preacher invites the
Christians to approach Jesus and to
be incorporated into him.
• He does this using similes and
metaphors.
• Jesus is a living stone (metaphor), v.4
• Christians are like living stones
(simile), v.5
• Jesus is rejected by human beings
(when they persecuted and crucified
Him), but, in contrast, is chosen and
precious in the eyes of God
(resurrected him).
• V.5 encourages Christians to organize
themselves into a spiritual house.

22ndnd
Living stone
living stone,
rejected by
human beings but
chosen and
precious in the
sight of God, 5
and, like living
stones, let
yourselves be
built into a
spiritual house to
be a holy
priesthood to
offer spiritual
sacrifices
acceptable to God
through Jesus
Christ.
• We are living stones (stones of flesh
and blood, raised by God) and are
called to be united (organized) to
become a holy priesthood. V.5
• The term “holy priesthood” recalls
the priesthood of the Old
Testament, serving in the Temple.
• By this time, there is no more
Temple in Jerusalem. It was
destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
• The author is writing at a much
later date, about 100 AD.

22ndnd
Living stone
living stone,
rejected by
human beings but
chosen and
precious in the
sight of God, 5
and, like living
stones, let
yourselves be
built into a
spiritual house to
be a holy
priesthood to
offer spiritual
sacrifices
acceptable to God
through Jesus
Christ.
• V.5 exhorts all Christians to be holy
priests, who are able, in a different
manner, to offer spiritual sacrifices.
• Notice “spiritual sacrifices.” It is
consistent with “spiritual house.”
• Our being organized (as church) can
offer sacrifices acceptable to God.
• We do this through Christ.
• The ancient Jews offered sacrifices to
God without Christ.
• We, Christians, always offer prayers
to God through Christ.
• Notice our liturgical prayers. It
always ends with the phrase“through
Christ our Lord”, or, some other
similar formula.

22ndnd
Cornerstone
• 6 For it says in scripture:
"Behold, I am laying a
stone in Zion, a
cornerstone, chosen and
precious, and whoever
believes in it shall not be
put to shame." 7
Therefore, its value is for
you who have faith, but
for those without faith:
"The stone which the
builders rejected has
become the
cornerstone," 8 and "A
stone that will make
people stumble, and a
rock that will make them
fall." They stumble by
disobeying the word, as
is their destiny.
• In v.6, the author recalls Isaiah 28,16 to
explain his point.
• He applies it to Christ.
• Christ is the stone
– laid in Zion (Jerusalem)
– cornerstone
– chosen and precious
• He who believes in it will not be shaken.
• In v.6, the element of faith is introduced.
• To this cornerstone, we must respond /
react with faith.
• V.7 follows up what is said in v.6.
– To have faith.
• Not to have faith in Him is rejecting the
cornerstone.
• But it makes people (unbelievers) stumble
and fall.
• They stumble because they disobey (no
obedience of faith).

22ndnd
Chosen race
• 9 But you are "a
chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy
nation, a people of
his own, so that you
may announce the
praises" of him who
called you out of
darkness into his
wonderful light.
• In contrast to those who don’t
believe, we, Christians, are
– A chosen race
– A royal priesthood
– A holy nation
– A people of his own
• These are heavy weight titles of
Christian believers.
• We are the new chosen people of
God.
• We exercise priestly functions.
• We are set apart (to do a particular
mission).
• Our mission is to announce God’s
praises, who does wonderful things
for us.

Reflections on the 2Reflections on the 2ndnd
readingreading
• We, Christians, must realize the value of our
faith.
• Our faith in Christ incorporates us into our fellow
believers.
• God does not see us only as His individual
children, but, as a nation… as a big group.
• As a community, we can offer a better worship,
better sacrifice acceptable to the Lord.
• The text discourages individualistic piety and
devotion.
• We become strong, we have a big impact to the
world, if we are united as one holy nation…
• Let us make our presence felt through our unity.

Gospel reading: John 14:1-12Gospel reading: John 14:1-12
• Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You
have faith in God; have faith also in me. 2 In my Father's house there
are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that
I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that
where I am you also may be. 4 Where (I) am going you know the
way." 5 Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are
going; how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way
and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me. 7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now
on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him,
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." 9 Jesus
said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do
not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I
am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to
you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing
his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in
me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 12 Amen,
amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.
The focus is on Jesus as the way…

Jesus speaks to the group
• Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God;
have faith also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If
there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to
myself, so that where I am you also may be. 4 Where (I) am going you know the
way."
• 5 Thomas said to him, "Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we
know the way?"
Jesus speaks to Thomas
• 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me. 7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him."
• 8 Philip said to him, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus speaks to Philip
• 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not
know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say,
'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is
in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who
dwells in me is doing his works.
Jesus speaks to the group
• 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe
because of the works themselves. 12 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in
me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am
going to the Father.
A simple outline!

Jesus speaks to the
group
• 1 Jesus said to his
disciples, "Do not let
your hearts be
troubled. You have
faith in God; have faith
also in me. 2 In my
Father's house there
are many dwelling
places. If there were
not, would I have told
you that I am going to
prepare a place for
you? 3 And if I go and
prepare a place for
you, I will come back
again and take you to
myself, so that where I
am you also may be. 4
Where (I) am going
you know the way."
Commentary
• In v.1, Jesus asks his disciples not to be
troubled / disturbed, or, put into confusion.
• He encourages them to have faith in God
and in Him.
• At this time, Jesus is bidding good bye to
them (before His ascension).
• In v.2, Jesus informs them, where He is
going.
– To His Father’s house, which has many
dwelling places (rooms, abode, staying
place).
• Jesus promises a room for them.
• His departure has a purpose for them.
– In v.3, Jesus picks up what He has just said,
“to prepare a room…”
• Jesus acts like an HRM graduate.
• In v.4, Jesus states that His disciples know
the way where He is going.
• Do they really know, from their point of
view?

• 5 Thomas said to him, "Master, we
do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?"
Jesus speaks to Thomas
• 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way
and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except
through me. 7 If you know me,
then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him
and have seen him.“
• 8 Philip said to him, "Master, show
us the Father, and that will be
enough for us."
Jesus speaks to Philip
• 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been
with you for so long a time and
you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen
the Father. How can you say,
'Show us the Father'? 10 Do you
not believe that I am in the Father
and the Father is in me? The
words that I speak to you I do not
speak on my own. The Father who
dwells in me is doing his works.
• Thomas is the first to ask a
question. Jesus should not presume
they know.
• He asks how to know the way.
• In v.6, Jesus says He is the way….
– He is the way to the Father.
– Jesus is the tangible sign / image of
the Father. V.7
• Philip is the second to ask (to
demand): Produce the Father. V.8
• V.9 shows some impatience of
Jesus, “How long have I been with
you….?”
• Jesus laments that by this time, the
disciples should have learned.
• Jesus wonders why Philip asks,
“Show us the Father.”
• In v.10, Jesus reiterates His
relationship with the Father.
• He represents the Father.
• He is the Father’s instrument in
doing his works.

Jesus speaks to
the group
• 11 Believe me
that I am in the
Father and the
Father is in me,
or else, believe
because of the
works
themselves. 12
Amen, amen, I
say to you,
whoever
believes in me
will do the
works that I do,
and will do
greater ones
than these,
because I am
going to the
Father.
• In v.11, Jesus now speaks to the group (in
plural as in v.1), telling the same thing, about
his relationship with the Father.
• In v.12, Jesus reminds that those who
believe in Him do his works and even
greater ones.
• V.12 also reminds of His departure. His
departure is a good reason for them to do
more.

Reflections on the gospel readingReflections on the gospel reading
• The gospel reading makes a strong statement.
• It is through Christ that we go to heaven and see
the Father.
• If we have no good relationship with Christ
(through prayer and devotion to his words in the gospel), we
will fail to reach heaven and see God.
• Do you seek Christ? Do you know him really? Is
Christ the center of your life?
• Forget all your involvements in the church and
your donations, if you are not close to Christ.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm
• The first reading talks about the ministries of the
Church.
• The psalm talks about being just and righteous.
We do righteous deeds.
• The second reading encourages us to become
built up in Christ.
• The gospel reading teaches that to see heaven,
we have to pass through Christ. He is non-
negotiable in our lives.
In our homilies, we must focus on doing the will of God.

How to develop your homily / sharingHow to develop your homily / sharing
• This Sunday, we are bombarded by the readings
about doing God’s works.
• We see in the first reading the apostles doing
God’s works in their preaching.
– They are dedicated to the ministry of the word.
– They don’t want to be distracted by the material needs
of the widows.
• Another group takes care of the work for the
well-being of the poor widows.
• In the second reading, with our identity as a holy
nation, a royal priesthood, a people set apart, we
do God’s work by offering sacrifices and services
acceptable to the Lord.
• In the gospel reading, Jesus emphasizes that
those who believe in Him and in the Father, will
do the works of his Father even more than He
did.

• The disciples must move from just believing or
having faith to actively doing the will of God.
• Faith must be acted upon, or, it becomes stale.
• It must respond to the needs of the times.
• The needs of our times are aplenty:
– Evangelization (integral evangelization, new
evangelization, re-evangelization)
– Wholesome liturgies (free from distractive behavior
of some ministers)
– Poverty alleviation
– Organization (PPC, BEC, etc)

• In our parish set up, we have to find our particular place,
where we can contribute to the growth of the Church.
• We take, with joy, particular tasks / responsibilities
assigned to us as the expression of our faith and
giftedness in our ministries.
– WEST, WESTYFap, FLYMeWEST, etc.
• It is a contradiction for a servant/minister to belong to a
ministry, yet, he /she does not accept any task/
responsibility.
– It is a first class shamelessness (kawalang-hiyaan).
• Ministers are supposed to be hard working, always, like
the Son, who imitates the Father working 24 hours a
day.
• On the other hand, our leaders must be able to animate /
encourage people to do their tasks.

• Regardless of our tasks, we have to realize that to be
evangelizers, we have to be evangelized first, meaning,
that we love and have devotion to the Word of God.
• We get our strength and light from the Word of God,
written in the Bible and proclaimed in the pulpit.
• We cannot be true evangelizers if we have no time to
encounter the Word of God.
• True evangelizers carry along with them the Word of
God to the people.
• They talk about it and they live it… in the context of the
life and mission of the Church.

• The reception of the eucharist is the fruit of a good
ministry.
• In the eucharist, we receive Jesus, our cornerstone.
• In the eucharist, we are encouraged to do more for
God, to be more just, righteous and loving in our
living.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace
• Lazy
• Tambay
• Not involved in anyway
• No time to study the
faith and the Bible
• Too small output due
to Facebook and
entertainment
• Overworked, burnt-out
priests
• Ministry
• Ordained ministers
• Righteous and just living
• Evangelized evangelizer
• Gives time to study the
Bible
• Formed by the Word of
God
• Church workers
• Pastoral workers

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs
• Come Build My Church by Chito Ranoa
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk
• Restore My Church by Sebastian Temple
• Priestly People by Lucien Deiss

• Dear sisters and brothers,
•
• Having faith is working for God 24/7
like Jesus.
•
• Fr. Cielo

Building Faith Through Service

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