May 8

May 8, 2014:  Thursday, 3rd week of Easter

Readings

Philip talking with the Ethiopian eunuch/ Chapin

• Acts 8:26-40  The Lord spoke to Philip:  “Head south,” so he did.  There was an Ethiopian eunuch returning home, reading Isaiah.  The Spirit told Philip, “Join with that chariot.” Philip:  “Do you understand?” / “How can I?”  He got in.  “About whom is the prophet saying Like a sheep he was led to slaughter...?”  Beginning there, Philip proclaimed Jesus to him.  When they came to water, the eunuch said, “What's to prevent my being baptized?”  They went into the water, and Philip baptized him.  When they came out, the Spirit snatched Philip.  The eunuch continued, rejoicing.  Philip continued going about proclaiming the good news.

• Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20  "Let all the earth cry out to God with joy."  Bless God; He has given us life.  I appealed to him, and he didn't refuse his kindness!

• Jn 6:44-51  Jesus:  “No one come to me unless the Father draw him, and I will raise him.  Everyone who learns from my Father comes to me.  I am the bread of life.  Your ancestors ate manna and died, but this bread comes from heaven so one may eat it and not die.  I am that living bread; whoever eats it will live forever.  The bread I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”

Pope Francis homily on Three moments of evangelization (from 1st reading):

• Docility:  Philip is an example, obeying the Lord's calling, leaving behind other tasks. Without meekness before God's voice, the most I can do is announce myself, not Christ.

Wordle of today's readings

• Dialogue: Philip uses it to announce the gospel, beginning from where the Ethiopian comes from. Spend time with the ones God wants you to evangelize; give them the news about Jesus according to who they are now.

• Grace:  Philip baptizes him and so places him in God's hands and grace. Grace is more important than bureaucracy. Trust in grace; don't make the Church a factory of obstacles to grace.

Music

• From Handel's Messiah (based on Good Friday's Is 52:13-53:12, excerpted in today's 1st reading):  He was despisèd, Surely he has borne our griefs, And with his stripes we are healed, All we like sheep (another All we like sheep), All they that see him laugh him to scorn, He trusted in God  (another), He was cut off from the land of the living

• I am the Bread of Life/ Toolan (gospel)

• I am the Bread of Life/ Talbot (gospel)

• The Bread of Life/ Talbot (gospel)

• Look beyond/ Ducote (gospel)

• Lift up your hearts/ O'Connor (psalm)

• Let all the earth/ Haugen [newer] (psalm)

• Evangelize; see April 30 for more about this "I will survive" parody (1st reading, homily)

Reflections

• Creighton:  As bread is a source of life, so too paying attention to God.

• DailyScripture.net:  Jesus Christ is the "one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ" (St. Ignatius of Antioch, To the Ephesians, 20:2), healing for body and soul, and strength for our journey.  What do I expect when I approach?

• Passionist:  Evangelize in the Apostles' steps.  We can't till the Bread of Life is central in our lives.  Radiate.LA

• Universalis:  Bl. Catherine of St. Augustine, religious

• Sacred Space

Apparel

• "Horse" and "chariot" tie pins:  Ethiopian eunuch was seated in his chariot (1st reading)

• "Keyboard with dove" tie pin:  Holy Spirit spoke to Philip, snatched him (1st reading)

• Tie with book and reader:   Eunuch reading Is 53:7-8... (1st reading)
• "Lamb" tie bar (missing because broken, but coincidentally on same tie):  ...about the Servant "like a sheep [led] to slaughter", that Philip interprets for him (1st reading)

• Blue shirt:  waters of baptism (1st reading)

• "Wheat" pin:  Bread of Life discourse (gospel)

Dress your life!