Daily Readings - Thu Apr 18 2024
Acts
26Now an Angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Rise up and go toward the south, to the way which descends from Jerusalem into Gaza, where there is a desert.27And rising up, he went. And behold, an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, powerful under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasures, had arrived in Jerusalem to worship28And while returning, he was sitting upon his chariot and reading from the prophet Isaiah29Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Draw near and join yourself to this chariot.30And Philip, hurrying, heard him reading from the prophet Isaiah, and he said, "Do you think that you understand what you are reading?31And he said, "But how can I, unless someone will have revealed it to me?" And he asked Philip to climb up and sit with him32Now the place in Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter. And like a lamb silent before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth33He endured his judgment with humility. Who of his generation shall describe how his life was taken away from the earth?34Then the eunuch responded to Philip, saying: "I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?35Then Philip, opening his mouth and beginning from this Scripture, evangelized Jesus to him36And while they were going along the way, they arrived at a certain water source. And the eunuch said: "There is water. What would prevent me from being baptized?37Then Philip said, "If you believe from your whole heart, it is permitted." And he responded by saying, "I believe the Son of God to be Jesus the Christ.38And he ordered the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch descended into the water. And he baptized him39And when they had ascended from the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him anymore. Then he went on his way, rejoicing40Now Philip was found in Azotus. And continuing on, he evangelized all the cities, until he arrived in Caesarea
John
44No one is able to come to me, unless the Father, who has sent me, has drawn him. And I will raise him up on the last day45It has been written in the Prophets: ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has listened and learned from the Father comes to me46Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God; this one has seen the Father47Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me has eternal life48I am the bread of life49Your fathers ate manna in the desert, and they died50This is the bread which descends from heaven, so that if anyone will eat from it, he may not die51I am the living bread, who descended from heaven. If anyone eats from this bread, he shall live in eternity. And the bread that I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives that illuminate the divine initiative in faith and the response of humility and openness. The first reading from Acts tells the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, a moment of profound evangelism in the early church. Philip, guided by the Spirit, approaches the eunuch who is pondering Isaiah’s prophecy. This encounter leads to the eunuch’s baptism, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan. The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, emphasizing that faith is a gift from the Father, drawing us to Him. Jesus’ words are a theological cornerstone, revealing His divine nature and the necessity of faith for eternal life.
The context of these readings is significant. Acts 8 occurs amid the church’s expansion beyond Jerusalem, highlighting the Spirit’s role in spreading the Gospel. The Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official, represents the Gentile world being brought into God’s fold. In John 6, Jesus’ discourse follows the feeding of the 5,000, where He transitions from providing physical bread to offering spiritual nourishment. This moment is pivotal, as it reveals Jesus’ identity and the true nature of faith.
Both readings underscore the theme of divine guidance and human response. Philip’s obedience to the Spirit and the eunuch’s openness to God’s Word illustrate that faith is a divine initiative requiring our receptivity. In John, Jesus teaches that coming to Him is a result of the Father’s drawing, yet we must respond with faith. This interplay reminds us that while God leads, our willingness to follow is crucial.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to recognize God’s guidance and respond with humility. Like Philip, we may be called to unexpected encounters where sharing our faith can transform lives. Like the eunuch, we must remain open to God’s Word, allowing the Spirit to illuminate our understanding. Jesus, as the Bread of Life, calls us to a deeper relationship, sustained by His grace.
The moral lesson here is the balance between divine initiative and human response. Faith begins with God, but our openness and humility allow it to flourish. Let us trust in God’s leading, respond with willingness, and partake in the eternal life offered through Christ, the living bread.