Acts 8:26-40

Ps 66

John 6:44-55

Do you understand…

Dear friends in Christ, as human beings, we are very limited in what we know. Expertise in one area of life, does not mean that the person knows enough or everything. It is therefore important to put on the garb of humility at all times. It is important to remain a student for life, always open to new ways of learning and doing things, because we live also in a fast changing world.

Our first reading today (Acts 8:26-40) reveals to us, some of the missionary activities of the early Church. In spite of the persecution, the church was still very organised and sometimes had targeted moves, at converting some people who could also easily carry on the message. In this passage, we meet Philip, who was called by the Angel to go to the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza, where the Holy Spirit inspired him to explain a passage of scripture to an Ethiopian Eunuch, who perhaps was simply reading the text like one reading a novel. The passage refers to the Suffering Servant and so gave Philip a good starting point to discuss the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. When they got near some water, it was the Eunuch himself who asked, “See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptised?” He then asked the chariot to stop and he received the grace of baptism. The man returned home filled with joy, while Philip disappeared, his job done already. Great things happen, when the Spirit is at work.

In today’s Gospel (John 6:44-55), Jesus continues the discourse on the bread of life. He again insisted on the need to be drawn into a closer union with God by the giving of oneself to him. He insisted, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” It takes a lot of humility to believe in him and trust in him, even when we do not fully understand. This is the kind of faith-trust that is asked of the disciples. There is no one person who fully understands God. God has set up the church therefore to continue to instruct humanity on the right way to live. Like Philip, the Church continues to teach humanity. Unfortunately, there are other confusing voices around that pretend to teach the truth but which are far from the truth of the Gospel.  That’s the reason why Jesus insists in this passage, that, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has learned and heard from the Father comes to me.” Beware not to be led astray by those who teach merely human precepts and place themselves in the position that should rightly belong to God. Listen to Christ in the Scriptures and listen to what the Church tells you.

Let us pray: Lord grant us the light of your Spirit so that we may truly understand your word and follow the path that leads to life. Amen.

+Remain blessed