Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Saturday April 18, 2026
Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
- First Reading – Acts 6:1-7: In the early days of Christianity, complaints arose from Greek-speaking Jews about their widows being neglected in daily food distribution. The Twelve called a meeting and delegated the responsibility to seven reputable men, allowing them to focus on preaching the word of God, resulting in the spread of the faith and growth of the believers in Jerusalem.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 33: Let the upright praise the LORD with music, for His promises are true and He loves justice. He watches over and saves those who trust in His steadfast love.
- Gospel – John 6:16-21: Jesus’ disciples set off across the sea to Capernaum, but a strong wind picked up and Jesus did not join them at first. Later, they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them, and he comforted them before they reached their destination.
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It is I. Do not be afraid.
John 6:20
Themes for the Readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
On Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter, the readings show us how God works through service, trust, and unexpected help. The early Church learns to care for others, while the disciples experience Jesus bringing peace during a storm.
- Serving the needs of others: In Acts, the early Church responds to a problem by choosing people to help care for widows. This shows that serving others, especially those in need, is part of living the faith.
- Spreading the Word of God: The apostles focus on prayer and teaching while others take care of daily needs. This balance helps the Church grow and shows that different roles matter in the mission of the Church.
- Choosing trustworthy leaders: The Church chooses seven men with good reputations to serve. This teaches the importance of choosing wise and faithful people to help with the work of the community.
- Trusting Jesus in the storm: The Gospel shows the disciples afraid on the sea until Jesus comes to them. Even when things feel out of control, we can trust that Jesus is with us.
- Jesus brings peace: When Jesus appears walking on the water, He tells the disciples not to be afraid. His presence calms them and reminds us that Jesus brings peace even in scary situations.
- Working together in faith: In Acts, the Church grows when people take on different jobs and serve together. This shows that when we work together, God can do great things through the community.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter reminds us that service, trust, and teamwork are all part of our life as believers. When we each play our part and rely on Jesus, faith grows and peace comes.
Reflection for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
The readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter help us reflect on service, trust, and how we grow through challenges. The early Church faced problems but found a way forward by working together. The disciples faced fear but found peace when Jesus came to them on the water. Both readings show us that God is with us in both calm and storm. They remind us that faith is lived out not just in words, but in action and trust.
Working Together in Service
The first reading for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter shows the early Church facing a real need. Some widows were not getting the daily food they needed. Instead of ignoring the problem, the apostles called everyone together. They listened and responded by choosing seven good men to take care of the situation. This allowed the apostles to focus on preaching, while others helped care for the people.
This moment teaches us a lot about community and service. When something goes wrong or someone is being left out, we are called to respond with care and action. Everyone has a part to play. Some may teach, some may serve, and some may organize, but all are important.
We see that when the Church works together, people are helped and the faith grows. The early Christians knew that faith is not just about prayer, but also about caring for others. This lesson is still true.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter reminds us that service is part of our faith. When we take time to help others, even in small ways, we are building up the Church and showing love in action.
Trusting Jesus in the Storm
The Gospel for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter tells the story of Jesus walking on the water. The disciples were rowing across the sea, and a strong wind was making things hard. They were alone and likely afraid. Then Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and told them not to be afraid. His presence calmed them.
This story teaches us to trust Jesus, even when things feel hard or uncertain. Life is full of storms. Sometimes we feel alone or scared, like the disciples in the boat. But Jesus comes to us, even in the middle of fear, and says, “It is I, do not be afraid.”
We may not see miracles like walking on water, but Jesus is still near. He meets us in prayer, in the sacraments, and in quiet moments. He gives us peace and reminds us that we are not alone.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter helps us remember that Jesus brings calm in chaos. When we trust Him, even when we are unsure, we will find peace and the strength to move forward.
Growing Through Challenges
Both the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter show people facing hard situations. In Acts, the early Church is dealing with complaints and unfair treatment. In the Gospel, the disciples are caught in a strong wind. But in both stories, we see growth, peace, and help come through the struggle.
Challenges are a part of life. Sometimes they happen in our families, our churches, or in our own hearts. The readings remind us not to run from problems, but to meet them with faith, love, and action. God works even in the hard moments.
In Acts, the Church responded to the problem with wisdom and teamwork. They didn’t argue or ignore the issue. They listened and made a plan. In the Gospel, the disciples didn’t turn back during the storm. They kept going, and Jesus met them along the way.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter shows that when we stay faithful during challenges, we grow stronger. God often uses hard times to teach us, help others, and guide us closer to Him. We are not alone. With faith and love, we can face what comes and keep moving forward.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter invites us to look at how we serve others, how we trust Jesus in difficult times, and how we grow in faith through every season. These reflections help us ask how we respond to needs around us and how we rely on God in the middle of struggle. With God’s help, we can face each challenge and keep moving forward in love and faith.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for walking with us through calm days and stormy ones. Help us serve others with joy and trust You in hard times. Teach us to grow in faith when things are not easy. Stay near to us and guide us each day.
Reflection Questions
- When have I served someone in need, even in a small way?
- What does it mean for me to trust Jesus when I am afraid?
- How do I respond when problems arise in my community or family?
- In what ways have I grown stronger through a difficult experience?
Homilies and Commentaries for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Word on Fire: In the Storm
Bishop Robert Barron reflects on Jesus walking on water in today’s Gospel, showing Jesus’ power over nature and chaos. Water often symbolizes danger in the Bible, like the Red Sea story where God guides the Israelites. Jesus walking on water, a story told in all four Gospels, highlights his divinity and reassures us that he guides the Church through all types of storms and challenges, just as God has control over chaos from the beginning of time.
Questions and Answers for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter
What date is Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter?
The next date is Saturday April 18, 2026.
What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter?
The Mass readings for Saturday April 18, 2026 are:
First Reading – Acts 6:1-7: Delegation for Community Service
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 33: Hope in the Lord’s Kindness
Gospel – John 6:16-21: Jesus Walks on Water
What is happening in the first reading from Acts?
The early Church is growing, but some people feel their group is being left out. The apostles choose seven men to help with daily tasks so they can keep preaching the word of God.
Why were the widows being overlooked?
The Greek-speaking believers felt their widows were not getting their share of food. This caused tension in the community and needed to be fixed.
What can we learn from how the Church solved the problem?
The apostles listened to the concerns and acted fairly. They included others in leadership and worked together to care for everyone.
Why is service an important theme in the first reading?
The Church grew stronger by helping those in need. This teaches us that serving others is part of living our faith.
What happens in the Gospel on Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter?
The disciples are in a boat during a storm. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water, and tells them not to be afraid.
Why were the disciples afraid?
They were alone in the dark, and the sea was rough. When they saw Jesus, they didn’t expect Him to come that way.
What does Jesus walking on water mean for us?
It shows that Jesus has power over fear and danger. It reminds us that He is with us, even in hard times.
What does Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter teach about faith in hard times?
It shows that trusting Jesus brings peace, even in storms. The disciples felt better once they heard His voice and welcomed Him.
Why is Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter a good time to think about helping others?
The early Christians faced a problem and helped each other. This reminds us to care for others in our families and communities.
How can we apply these readings to our lives?
We can serve when we see a need and trust Jesus when we feel afraid. Both readings invite us to act with love and faith.
Why is teamwork important in the reading from Acts?
The apostles could not do everything themselves. By sharing the work, more people were cared for and the Church grew.
What does Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter tell us about growth?
The Church grew when people served and trusted God. We grow in faith the same way—by helping others and keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Jesus Brings Peace and Direction
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter gives us two scenes from Scripture that show how Jesus leads and cares for His people. In the first reading, the early Church faces a problem with fairness in food distribution. The apostles act wisely, choosing seven men to serve and making sure no one is left out. This moment shows how service and teamwork help the Church grow.
In the Gospel, the disciples are in a boat during a strong wind, and Jesus is not with them at first. When He comes to them walking on the water, He tells them not to be afraid. His presence calms them. This reminds us that even when life feels stormy, Jesus is near.
Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter invites us to trust in Jesus and serve one another. We grow in faith when we listen to His voice and work together in love. God uses both calm and difficult moments to guide us.
When we put our trust in Jesus and care for others, we take part in His mission. Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter reminds us that small acts of service and deep faith can lead to peace and growth in our lives and in the Church.
Your Turn
Take a moment to read the Scripture passages for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter and ask yourself how you can serve in your own community. Think about how Jesus calms fears and brings peace, even in life’s hard times.
Consider sharing in the comment section how these readings speak to you. What part of the message stood out? How is God inviting you to trust Him or to serve others more fully?
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