Daily Readings - Wed Apr 17 2024
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 two profound narratives that illuminate the essence of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Acts 8 describes a tumultuous period for the early Church, marked by persecution and dispersion. Yet, amidst this turmoil, the believers, empowered by their faith, continued to spread the Word of God. Philip's mission to Samaria exemplifies this, as he preached Christ and performed miracles, leading many to healing and faith. This passage underscores the resilience of the early Church, which thrived even in adversity, demonstrating that challenges can become opportunities for growth and witness.
The Gospel from John 6 shifts our focus to Jesus, who declares Himself the Bread of Life. He assures us that belief in Him will satiate our deepest hungers and quench our spiritual thirst. Jesus emphasizes His alignment with the Father's will, which is to grant eternal life to all who believe. This passage invites us to trust in Jesus as our sustenance and strength, especially in times of trial. Just as the early Christians found the courage to share their faith despite persecution, we too can draw from the eternal life offered by Christ to navigate life's challenges.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded that our faith in Jesus equips us to face any adversity with hope and perseverance. Like the early Church, we are called to share the Good News, trusting that God's will prevails. In our daily lives, let us embrace the Bread of Life, allowing His grace to sustain us and inspire us to be beacons of faith and love. May we, like Philip, step out in faith, trusting that God's power will transform lives, even in the face of difficulty.