Thursday of the
Third Week of Easter
(Acts 8:26-40; John 6:44-51)
The two readings today fit together like a hand in a
glove. In the first Philip is sent by
God to meet the Ethiopian eunuch on the road.
He reaches his assigned traveler just as the man is reading one of the
Servant Songs of Isaiah. When the man suggests
that he needs Philip’s help to interpret the passage, Philip gladly
complies. He tells the eunuch that the
passage refers to Jesus and wastes no time in baptizing him.
It is not just chance that brings the two men
together. Since Philip is sent by God’s
angel, God is the instigator of the encounter.
In the gospel Jesus tells the crowds in Capernaum, “’No one can come to
me unless the Father who sent me draw him…’”
The Ethiopian eunuch is but one example of God’s grace drawing people to
His Son.
God has called each of us as well to Jesus. We may not feel especially graced because we
are overly influenced by worldly values.
No matter, we are truly blessed.
We belong to a Church with many gracious people. We have eternal life as our destiny. Most of
all, Jesus has become our friend. We can
rely on him to meet our needs.
