Obey

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042315.cfm) reminds me that great things will happen if we obey God.

In the first reading, Philip was told by the angel to head south, then was led by the Spirit to come up to the eunuch. When we obeyed, he was called up by the eunuch and was able to explain the scripture to him. Then, when an opportunity came, the eunuch was baptized. The eunich was converted because of that encounter, and it started when Philip obeyed God.

Obeying God brings great reward.

Probably it was difficult for Philip to come to the eunuch because was a leader and had men around him. It probably was not normal for someone to just approach the eunuch and talk to him. But since the spirit led him, Philip obeyed. He did not let the situation dictate his actions. He did not let his fears or worries stop him from following God. He just obeyed what God was asking him to do, he did his part and God did the rest.

In life, God’s instructions does not always seem logical. It does not always seem to make sense. However, God knows how to reward faithful servants. He knows what he is doing, and whatever he asks us to do is always according to his great plans. May we learn from Philip and not let the situation or our concerns hinder us from just obeying God and letting him work through us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and experience your love.  Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not always obey you. Sorry for the times I let my fears, concerns or the situation hinder my from obeying you. Sorry for not trusting you enough. Help me have a surrendered heart and a firm faith like Philip to just obey what you are telling me to do. Help me also to be able to listen and hear your voice in my heart. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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April 23, 2015

Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

Lectionary: 276

Reading 1 Acts 8:26-40

The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,

“Get up and head south on the road

that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route.”

So he got up and set out.

Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch,

a court official of the Candace,

that is, the queen of the Ethiopians,

in charge of her entire treasury,

who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home.

Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

The Spirit said to Philip,

“Go and join up with that chariot.”

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said,

“Do you understand what you are reading?”

He replied,

“How can I, unless someone instructs me?”

So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

This was the Scripture passage he was reading:

Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,

and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who will tell of his posterity?

For his life is taken from the earth.

Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply,

“I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this?

About himself, or about someone else?”

Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage,

he proclaimed Jesus to him.

As they traveled along the road

they came to some water,

and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water.

What is to prevent my being baptized?”

Then he ordered the chariot to stop,

and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water,

and he baptized him.

When they came out of the water,

the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away,

and the eunuch saw him no more,

but continued on his way rejoicing.

Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news

to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Responsorial Psalm PS 66:8-9, 16-17, 20

R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Bless our God, you peoples,

loudly sound his praise;

He has given life to our souls,

and has not let our feet slip.

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare

what he has done for me.

When I appealed to him in words,

praise was on the tip of my tongue.

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Blessed be God who refused me not

my prayer or his kindness!

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 6:51

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;

whoever eats this bread will live forever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds:

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,

and I will raise him on the last day.

It is written in the prophets:

They shall all be taught by God.

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.

Not that anyone has seen the Father

except the one who is from God;

he has seen the Father.

Amen, amen, I say to you,

whoever believes has eternal life.

I am the bread of life.

Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;

this is the bread that comes down from heaven

so that one may eat it and not die.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven;

whoever eats this bread will live forever;

and the bread that I will give

is my Flesh for the life of the world.”