Thursday, Third Week of Easter

TODAY'S WORD

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Acts: 8:30-31 "Philip asked the eunuch, “Do you understand what you are reading?”  The eunuch replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”


FIRST READING 

REFLECTION

When we hear in this morning’s first reading of the road from Jerusalem to Gaza it is hard not to think of the strained and tension-filled relationship between Jerusalem and Gaza today. 

Yet, the story we have just heard relating to that road is a good news story. 

The Ethiopian on that road is a seeker. 

He is reading the Jewish Scriptures, a section of the prophet Isaiah. 

When Philip, one of the deacons of the church joins him, he invites Philip to join him in his search and to throw light on what he is reading. 

The probing question he asks Philip about the text gives Philip an opening to speak to him about Jesus. 

Philip’s proclaiming of the gospel moved the Ethiopian to ask for baptism. 

When Philip left him, the Ethiopian went on his journey rejoicing. 

The Ethiopian was searching, but he needed help from someone who was a little further down the road of faith that he himself was. 

The story is a reminder to us that we need each other on the journey of faith. 

We all have something to receive from someone else. 


GOSPEL REFLECTION

In the gospel reading, Jesus declares that no one can come to him unless he is drawn by God the Father. 

Our coming to Jesus is always in response to the Father drawing us to his Son. 

Yet, the Father draws us to his Son in and through each other, just as God drew the Ethiopian to Jesus in and through Philip. 

Sometimes we may find ourselves in the role of the Ethiopian, seeking the Lord, needing someone like a Philip to guide and lead us. 

At other times we may find ourselves in the role of Philip, helping someone to take a new step on their journey towards Jesus. 

If the Father is to draw us to his Son, we need to be ready both to receive from the faith of others and to give to others from our own faith.

God the Father is our teacher. He created life. He knew everything about life. 


RESOLUTION

Let us resolve to be humble enough to ask for His grace to deal with the challenges of daily life.

Have a fabulous day.

Let's uphold all the Priests that are victims to Corona Virus