Daily Readings - Wed Apr 18 2018
Acts
1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.2On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.7With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.8So there was great joy in that city.
John
35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal 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.