Daily Readings - Thu Apr 18 2024
Acts
26And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,28Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.29Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?35Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.40But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
John
44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.45It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.46Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.48I am that bread of life.49Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.50This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give 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.