Thursday of Third Week In Easter, April 26,2007

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 66; John 6:44-51. Lectionary #276

Philip now becomes prominent in the Acts of the Apostles in a delightful
event. He is doing missionary work and finds a man in a chariot reading
the Suffering Servant portions of Isaiah. The man needs help in
understanding these writings and Philip catches up with him and gives him
an interpretation in the light of Jesus' suffering, death, and
resurrection. This leads the Ethiopian eunuch to ask for Baptism; both
enter the water and he is baptized by Philip. Philip was the second
mentioned "deacon" in Acts after Stephen the proto-martyr. Both he and
Stephen led by the Spirit do more than take care of the Hellinistic Jewish
poor and widows at table; they preach and witness and move around quite
frequently. Philip reads Jesus' life into that of the Suffering Servant
and points out how Jesus is the one to fulfill what the prophet is
proclaiming. We know that Isaiah was one of the most frequently cited
prophets in the New Testament--especially in offering prophetic background
for what was preached about Jesus. Philip becomes a good model for
witnessing and evangelizing. We learn that he leaves the Ethiopian and is
led by the Spirit to go up the coast to Azotus and then to Caesarea. In
the Gospel, Jesus develops further his discourse on his being the bread of
life. I found the following verse for centering my prayer this day and I
take consolation from it: Jesus says, "Amen, Amen! I say to you, whoever
believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life." I am strengthened by
these words which are realized in the Eucharist which is always interpreted
in the light of the liturgy of the word. Yes, today I am strengthened by
these words of Jesus which become real in the Eucharist. I do pray that I
can deepen my faith through prayer and through appreciating the gift of
faith I received at Baptism. Lord, Jesus, I do believe. Help me to
believe more deeply in you as a person who loves me. Amen.