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| God who comes to us in the agents of evangelization. |
Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of 3rd Week of Easter, Year B, April 18th, 2024
Texts: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 66:8-9,16-17,20; John 6:44-51
Evangelization is the work of God. He directs and guides the agents of evangelization. This is evident in today’s first reading. Angel of the Lord directed Philip to go toward South to the road that goes down from Jerusalem. Going there, Philip saw an Ethiopian Eunuch and God told him to join the Eunuch.
God had already started the work of conversion in him. Jesus speaks of this in the gospel reading thus: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”. The work of conversion in the Eunuch is evident in the reading of the words of God.
He believed and was baptized
Philip spoke to the Eunuch the good news about Jesus Christ, beginning from the Scriptural passage he was reading. He believed and was baptized. We read,” And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?’ ... and he baptized him.” It is God who comes to us in the agents of evangelization. When we accept them, we accept God. If we reject them, we reject God’s offer of eternal life.
After the baptism of the Eunuch, the spirit of the Lord took Philip again to another place, Azotus. This tells us that God guides the move of the agents of evangelization. However, this guidance could come in different ways. It can come by arousing our desire. God guides us through witness. This is clear when Jesus says, “Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God, let us feel your compassion more readily during these days when, by your gift, we have known it more fully, so that those you have freed from the darkness of error may cling more firmly to the teachings of your truth. Amen
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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