In biblical times the widows and orphans were the helpless people, (see Is. 1:17) and (Jas 1:27) and thus their needs had to be attended to. The murmuring of the Greek [or as Acts reads, they "murmured against the Hebrews", (Acts 6:1)] is indeed a complaint about the neglect of these defenceless people. This call to defend the rights of the poor and helpless made the Apostles more aware or made them recognize that their preaching included the caring of those who were neglected and despised.

No one doubts that the faith experience of the Apostles and their preachings were Spirit-filled (Acts 2:4). It is the same Spirit that enabled them to choose Stephen and others who were spiritually motivated and ordain them deacons. In this significant act of the Apostles, we see the concern of the Church for the poor. This concern or, to use a modern phrase, "option for the poor" has been there always and it holds a legitimate place in the teaching and practice of our faith. Therefore, our concern to help the poor is not politically motivated nor is it a quest for political leadership.

We are reminded today in the Gospel that the Church will face many obstacles if she does not recognize Jesus in the midst of our human situations and hear His words, "It is I; do not be afraid" (Jn. 6:20).