Daily Readings - Thu May 08 2025
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 remind us of God's universal embrace and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts 8:26-40 tells the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, a moment that symbolizes the Gospel's expansion beyond Jerusalem. The eunuch, an outcast due to his status, finds acceptance and baptism through Philip, illustrating the inclusivity of the early Christian church. This moment shows that God's call knows no boundaries, reaching even those on the fringes of society.
In the Gospel, John 6:44-51, Jesus emphasizes His role as the bread of life, highlighting that coming to Him is not by human effort but through the Father's grace. This underscores the theme of divine invitation, where everyone is called to partake in eternal life through faith. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on God's universal love and the call to faith that transcends all barriers.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded to embrace humility and openness in our daily lives. Just as the eunuch was receptive to Philip's message, we too should be open to God's unexpected invitations. Let us trust in His plan and recognize that faith is a gift from God, leading us to eternal life. May we, like Philip, be instruments of God's grace, sharing the Good News with all we meet.