Daily Readings - Thu May 09 2019
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 two profound moments of faith and divine encounter. In Acts 8:26-40, Philip is guided by the Spirit to meet an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading from Isaiah. Philip's explanation of the Scripture leads the eunuch to baptism, illustrating the importance of spiritual guidance and readiness to receive the Gospel. In John 6:44-51, Jesus describes Himself as the bread of life, emphasizing that faith comes from the Father's drawing and promising eternal life to those who believe.
Both readings highlight the interplay between divine grace and human response. The eunuch's encounter shows how understanding Scripture requires guidance, while Jesus' words underscore that faith is a divine gift. Together, they teach us that spiritual growth involves both receiving God's grace and actively responding with openness and faith.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to seek spiritual nourishment and remain open to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Just as the eunuch was ready to receive the truth, we should embrace opportunities for growth and trust in God's providence. Let us cultivate a deep faith, trusting in God's plan and being willing to take steps of faith, just as the eunuch did through baptism. May we find eternal life in Christ, the true bread from heaven.