Daily Readings - Thu Apr 19 2018
Acts
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?"35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"37Verse omitted from the New International Version38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
John
44"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.45It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.46No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.47I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.48I am the bread of life.49Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died.50But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that illuminate God's universal invitation and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts recounts the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, a moment where the Spirit's guidance leads to an unexpected encounter. Philip, directed by the Spirit, approaches the eunuch who is pondering Isaiah's prophecy. Through Philip's explanation, the eunuch comes to faith and is baptized, exemplifying the early church's mission to spread the Gospel to all, regardless of background.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, emphasizing that faith is a gift from God. Jesus teaches that no one comes to Him unless drawn by the Father, highlighting the divine initiative in our salvation. He invites all to partake in His flesh, given for the life of the world, promising eternal life to those who believe.
These readings connect through themes of divine call and inclusion. The Spirit's role in Acts and the Father's drawing in John underscore God's active engagement in bringing people to faith. Both narratives show that God's plan is for all, embracing diversity and breaking down barriers. In our lives, this means being open to the Spirit's promptings and recognizing God's call in unexpected places. We are invited to embrace the faith that leads to eternal life, just as the eunuch did, and to share this gift with others, trusting in God's universal love.
As we reflect, let us remember that faith is a response to God's grace, and our lives should mirror the inclusive love of Christ. May we, like Philip, be ready to share the Gospel, and may we, like the eunuch, joyfully embrace God's invitation, living as witnesses to His transformative power.