Daily Readings - Wed Apr 18 2018
Acts
1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.8And there was great joy in that city.
John
35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of perseverance, trust, and the profound call to faith. The first reading from Acts describes a tumultuous period for the early Church, marked by persecution and dispersion. Yet, amidst this chaos, the believers, including Philip, courageously spread the Gospel, even in Samaria, demonstrating the power of faith amidst adversity. The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, emphasizing trust in the Father's plan and the promise of eternal life for those who believe.
The context of Acts 8 reveals a pivotal moment where persecution paradoxically becomes a catalyst for the Gospel's spread. Philip's mission in Samaria exemplifies this, showing how trust in God's providence can lead to unexpected opportunities. In John 6, Jesus addresses a crowd that has witnessed miracles but still hesitates in belief. He invites them to a deeper trust, beyond mere sight, to a faith that sustains and grants eternal life.
These readings intertwine beautifully, highlighting the connection between trust and action. Just as the early Christians trusted God despite persecution, we too are called to trust Him in our challenges. Philip's evangelism in Samaria encourages us to share the Gospel even in difficult times. Jesus's words remind us to seek spiritual nourishment and trust in God's plan, even when circumstances are unclear.
In our daily lives, these readings inspire us to face challenges with hope and perseverance. When we encounter obstacles, we can trust that God is at work, turning trials into opportunities. Like Philip, we are called to share the Good News with others, trusting in God's grace. Jesus's invitation to trust Him deeply reminds us that our faith is not about seeing miracles but about believing in His plan for eternal life.
The moral reflection here is clear: trust in God's plan and persevere in faith. The readings show that true faith is not about what we see but about trusting in God's will. This trust empowers us to face challenges with hope and to share the Gospel, knowing God is always at work. Let us embrace this trust, allowing it to guide us in our daily lives and in our mission to spread the Good News.