Readings for Thursday of the Third Week of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 8:26-40
In this story of Philip’s conversion of the eunuch we are given a strong mystical nudge. First when Philip is instructed by an angle to leave on the trip and again with is disappearance after the baptism of the eunuch.
If we read this passage in context with verse numbers we find verse 37 is not present in either the NAB or the Jerusalem Bibles. That is because in the oldest and best manuscripts it was not present. But, for our benefit verse 37 said responding to the eunuch’s request for baptism; "And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he said in reply, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' "In modern texts it is omitted as probably a latter addition by some early Christian redactor.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Psalm 66 is a song of thanksgiving. As it continues today the selection starts with part of the community blessing of the Lord and follows with the second and third strophes being individual response to the communal prayer.
Gospel John 6:44-51
St. John’s “Bread of Life” discourse continues in response to the protest of the crowd. In the first part of the passage we hear Jesus telling the crowd that no one comes to God unless it is willed by the Father (who sent me). Then Jesus says the remarkable; “…and I will raise him on the last day.” This is a clear statement that the Lord has been given the authority to judge the living and the dead in the eschaton (the last day).
The Lord quotes Isaiah 54:13, interpreting that passage as it relates to him as the “teacher” sent by God. He now launches into the answer to the earlier question “Where can we get this bread?” saying “I am the bread of life” and going further tells the crowd that they must eat (John uses the graphic word gnaw) the bread of life to have eternal life and that the bread he gives them is his life for the salvation of all mankind.
Homily:
There was once a man who, in discussion about his job said “We work because we have to – it makes the rest of what we do possible. What we do when we are not working makes work worth while.” We look at this and see the great paradox of life. What we do to support ourselves and contribute to society provides for the needs and comforts that make our lives enjoyable. To a large degree, seen from the standpoint of our spiritual lives, the same is true of what we see in Holy Scripture.
In the first reading from the Acts we catch up with Philip. Recall he was sent with the Hellenistic Christians when they were driven from Jerusalem by Saul and his followers. He is now inspired by heavenly forces to continue to share the story of Jesus, the Messiah, who was predicted by the prophets. Sharing this story with the eunuch, the Holy Spirit reaches our and continues God’s mission. And what does Philip do? The Holy Spirit snatches him away. There is more work to be done. In the end, however, Philip, like all who work to build up God’s kingdom, is brought back to the Body of Christ in the Eucharist. The Lord gave us the Holy Spirit to drive us and the most Blessed Sacrament to sustain us. Just as we cannot work if we do not rest and take food, we cannot hand on the gift we have been given without refreshing our spirit in sacramental grace.
Jesus tells us in Holy Scripture today, reminding us, that He is that bread that comes down from Heaven. Just because we (most of us) cannot see the angels hovering above the altar as the gift is once more given does not mean they are not there.
As we continue to rejoice in the Risen Christ and hear of the exploits of his closest friends let us also take the nourishment he left for us so we too can bring the gift of life to others.
Pax
Please Pray for Esther
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The image today is “St Philip Baptizing the Eunuch of Candace” by Claude Vignon, 1638
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 8:26-40
In this story of Philip’s conversion of the eunuch we are given a strong mystical nudge. First when Philip is instructed by an angle to leave on the trip and again with is disappearance after the baptism of the eunuch.
If we read this passage in context with verse numbers we find verse 37 is not present in either the NAB or the Jerusalem Bibles. That is because in the oldest and best manuscripts it was not present. But, for our benefit verse 37 said responding to the eunuch’s request for baptism; "And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he said in reply, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' "In modern texts it is omitted as probably a latter addition by some early Christian redactor.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Psalm 66 is a song of thanksgiving. As it continues today the selection starts with part of the community blessing of the Lord and follows with the second and third strophes being individual response to the communal prayer.
Gospel John 6:44-51
St. John’s “Bread of Life” discourse continues in response to the protest of the crowd. In the first part of the passage we hear Jesus telling the crowd that no one comes to God unless it is willed by the Father (who sent me). Then Jesus says the remarkable; “…and I will raise him on the last day.” This is a clear statement that the Lord has been given the authority to judge the living and the dead in the eschaton (the last day).
The Lord quotes Isaiah 54:13, interpreting that passage as it relates to him as the “teacher” sent by God. He now launches into the answer to the earlier question “Where can we get this bread?” saying “I am the bread of life” and going further tells the crowd that they must eat (John uses the graphic word gnaw) the bread of life to have eternal life and that the bread he gives them is his life for the salvation of all mankind.
Homily:
There was once a man who, in discussion about his job said “We work because we have to – it makes the rest of what we do possible. What we do when we are not working makes work worth while.” We look at this and see the great paradox of life. What we do to support ourselves and contribute to society provides for the needs and comforts that make our lives enjoyable. To a large degree, seen from the standpoint of our spiritual lives, the same is true of what we see in Holy Scripture.
In the first reading from the Acts we catch up with Philip. Recall he was sent with the Hellenistic Christians when they were driven from Jerusalem by Saul and his followers. He is now inspired by heavenly forces to continue to share the story of Jesus, the Messiah, who was predicted by the prophets. Sharing this story with the eunuch, the Holy Spirit reaches our and continues God’s mission. And what does Philip do? The Holy Spirit snatches him away. There is more work to be done. In the end, however, Philip, like all who work to build up God’s kingdom, is brought back to the Body of Christ in the Eucharist. The Lord gave us the Holy Spirit to drive us and the most Blessed Sacrament to sustain us. Just as we cannot work if we do not rest and take food, we cannot hand on the gift we have been given without refreshing our spirit in sacramental grace.
Jesus tells us in Holy Scripture today, reminding us, that He is that bread that comes down from Heaven. Just because we (most of us) cannot see the angels hovering above the altar as the gift is once more given does not mean they are not there.
As we continue to rejoice in the Risen Christ and hear of the exploits of his closest friends let us also take the nourishment he left for us so we too can bring the gift of life to others.
Pax
Please Pray for Esther
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The image today is “St Philip Baptizing the Eunuch of Candace” by Claude Vignon, 1638
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