Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 18, 2024
First Reading: Acts 8.26-40
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.
Psalm 66
1Shout with joy to God, all the earth!2Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!3Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.4All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." Selah5Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf!6He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot- come, let us rejoice in him.7He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations- let not the rebellious rise up against him. Selah8Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;9he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.10For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.11You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.12You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.13I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you-14vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.15I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Selah16Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.17I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.18If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;19but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.20Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!
Gospel: John 6.44-51
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 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.