Third Week of Easter : Thursday 18th April 2024

Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles is filled with wonder and mystery! A pilgrim (eunuch and officer from Ethiopia), who had just completed his pilgrimage to Jerusalem was on his way home in a chariot. He was reading aloud (as was customary in those days) from the book of Isaiah.

However, even before his reading, God had already prepared the apostle Philip to help him. God had told Philip to “set out at noon along the road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza, the desert road” (v26). Philip obeyed and was led by the Spirit, Who told him to “Go up and meet the chariot” (v29). As Philip did so, he heard the Ethiopian’s words, and asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (v30). The Ethiopian officer replied “How can I … unless I have someone to guide me?” (v31). So, Philip’s explanation illuminated his understanding and he then requested baptism. Then Philip was “taken away by the Spirit of the Lord and the eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing” (v39).

In the Gospel, the joy of knowing Christ is inseparable from knowing the Father as well. And to know the simple fact that everything that Jesus taught is also that of the Father. So, eternal life and bread of life is incomprehensible unless we accept that Jesus’ teaching is also that of the Father. Jesus reveals the true living bread is Him, a relatable person.

Lord, grant us the joy of knowing Your words are truly life-giving.