Daily Readings - Wed Apr 29 2020
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 encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, persecution, and the universal call to missionary work. The first reading from Acts describes a time of great turmoil for the early Christian community. Following Stephen’s martyrdom, a severe persecution forces the believers to scatter beyond Jerusalem. Yet, even amidst this dispersion, the Gospel spreads as Philip preaches in Samaria, performing miracles and bringing healing to many. This passage reminds us that God’s plan often unfolds in unexpected ways, turning trials into opportunities for growth and evangelization.
The Gospel reading from John presents Jesus as the Bread of Life, emphasizing His role as the ultimate source of spiritual nourishment. Jesus assures us that whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst, and that the Father’s will is to draw all people to Him. This passage invites us to deepen our trust in God’s providence and to embrace our role as missionary disciples. Just as Philip trusted the Holy Spirit’s guidance in Samaria, we too are called to step out in faith, sharing the Good News with a world in need of healing and hope.
These readings challenge us to re-examine our own response to challenges and to trust in God’s plan. Like the early Christians, we may face obstacles, but these can become opportunities to spread the Gospel. Let us draw strength from the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, and allow ourselves to be instruments of God’s grace in our daily lives. May we, like Philip, be open to the Spirit’s prompting and share the love of Christ with those around us, trusting that God will use us to bring light and healing to a world in need.