3rd Week of Easter : Thursday 27th April 2023

Unlike the story about Philip found in yesterday’s first reading, which depicted Philip as a missionary and a miracle worker, the passage in today’s reading shows him as one who explains the Scriptures. Right from the beginning, we read that it is God who takes the initiative. God guides Philip through precise interventions and instructions as he meets and explains the Scriptures to the Ethiopian eunuch. Consequently, the eunuch responds by believing in the Good News of Jesus and requests to be baptised.

Philip’s activity is entirely Spirit directed. In this way, the evangelist Luke wants to show clearly that God, not merely human thinking or effort, guides the spread of the Good News among non-believers.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus teaches the people that He is the Bread of life from heaven who has come to feed all believers. Coming to Jesus in faith draws believers to God. In listening to Jesus, we hear the Father, who is the source of the teaching of Jesus. To believe in Jesus is to be open to God. Or, to put it another way, not believing in Jesus is not to be open to God.

God the Father speaks to us every day through the Holy Spirit. He takes the initiative in wanting to guide our actions and decisions. He desires to teach us through the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Ethiopian official listened and believed. Many of Jesus’ disciples listened but did not believe. What about you?

Lord, help me to listen to You.