Daily Readings - Thu Apr 18 2024
Acts
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place.27And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship28and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.29And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."30So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"31And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.32Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.33In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth."34And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.36And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?"37See Footnote38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
John
44No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.45It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me--46not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.47Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.48I am the bread of life.49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
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.