Be faithful witnesses of the gospel

Acts 8:26-40; Psalm: 65; Jn 6:44-51

In today’s first reading, we see the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The Holy Spirit leads Philip to approach a chariot in which the eunuch is reading from the book of Isaiah. The eunuch is struggling to understand the scripture, and he asks Philip for help in interpreting it. Philip seizes this opportunity to share the good news about Jesus with the eunuch, explaining to him the meaning of the passage and how it points to Jesus as the Messiah. Philip’s words so moved the eunuch that he immediately asked to be baptized, demonstrating his willingness to commit his life to following Jesus.

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of evangelism and sharing the gospel with others. Philip’s willingness to engage in conversation with the eunuch and to explain the scripture to him ultimately leads to the eunuch’s conversion and baptism. It highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers to share their faith with others and demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel in people’s lives. As Christians, we are called to be bold in proclaiming the message of Jesus to those around us, just as Philip did with the Ethiopian eunuch.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” This passage emphasizes the role of God’s sovereignty in salvation and the necessity of divine intervention in drawing people to Jesus. It reminds us that faith in Jesus is a gift from God and that it is ultimately God who enables us to believe in Him and receive eternal life.

Jesus goes on to proclaim, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” Here, Jesus uses the metaphor of bread to illustrate the spiritual sustenance that He provides to those who believe in Him. Just as physical bread nourishes and sustains our bodies, Jesus is the spiritual bread that nourishes and sustains our souls, giving us eternal life and fulfillment in Him.

Reflecting on these passages, we are reminded of the importance of both evangelism and divine grace in the process of salvation. While we are called to share the gospel with others and proclaim the good news of Jesus, we also recognize that it is ultimately God who draws people to Himself and grants them the gift of faith. As Christians, we are called to be obedient vessels in sharing the message of Jesus with others, trusting in God’s sovereign plan for redeeming humanity and bringing salvation to all who believe.

In conclusion, today’s readings offer us valuable insights into the nature of evangelism, divine grace, and salvation. These passages challenge us to be bold in sharing our faith with others, knowing that it is ultimately God who draws people to Himself and grants them the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus. As we meditate on these scriptures, may we be inspired to be faithful witnesses of the gospel and to trust in God’s sovereign plan for redeeming humanity and bringing salvation to all who believe.