Jesus said in the gospel today that, “Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.” This is literally what happened to the eunuch in today’s first reading for mass. He was reading the scriptures about Jesus on his journey, that the prophet Isaiah had foretold of him. The eunuch was struggling to understand what he was reading, and who these verses in scripture were referring to? The Holy Spirit was at work inside of this man’s heart as he struggled to understand the scriptures. The eunuch was instinctively seeking to know Jesus, but he could not do so on his own. The Holy Spirit was also seeking this man as well, to bring him to Christ. Isn’t it a beautiful thing, the way that the Holy Spirit works?
At the same time the Holy Spirit was at work in the eunuch’s heart, an angel of the Lord went to Philip and gave him specific directions on how to find him on the road to Gaza. The eunuch could struggle on his own, but he would need to be baptized by another Christian. The eunuch had the “baptism of desire” though. Actually, if a person should have this desire in their heart in modern times, without the ability to have someone from the church to baptize them, it is called a “baptism of desire” and Catholics believe that person will go to heaven if they died before they could be baptized, through no fault of their own.
The eunuch listened to Philip’s explanation about the scriptures which foretold of Christ’s death on the cross, and all that followed in the words Philip taught him. It seems that he immediately accepted Jesus Christ as the son of God and believed in him. It was a pretty awesome thing how the eunuch didn’t put it off, but acted on his desire to be baptized right away.
Jesus also recalled the words the prophets had written that, “They shall all be taught by God.” This was truly the case with the eunuch in today’s first reading for mass, but it still remains so with all the modern people who come to the Catholic church as an adult, and asks to be baptized as well. The Holy Spirit taught them, long before they ever verbalize this desire for baptism to the church. It is a beautiful things to see the Holy Spirit at work inside a person. It has nothing to do with human effort, but is solely the work of the Spirit.
However, Philip needed to explain the faith to the eunuch in the first reading for mass and the Catholic church still needs catechists and sponsors to help explain our Catholic faith to people inquiring into our faith in modern times too. It is a beautiful experience to walk with a person through the RCIA process and witness their baptism. Catechists, sponsors and other volunteers are always needed in the parish RCIA programs, if you ever feel called to be a part of this journey of faith. You will learn more about the Catholic faith too, when you accompany another person through their faith journey.
The first reading for mass was about baptism, and the gospel today is about communion. Jesus said, “Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me,” and this is especially true for a person’s first communion, whether that was as a child, or an adult going through the RCIA process. We all came to Jesus for communion for the first time, after being taught about his true presence in the Eucharist.
How often have we taken for granted the Eucharist that we receive each Sunday at mass? Our communion runs the risk of becoming routine if we aren’t careful. We’ve heard the words that Jesus is the Bread of Life, and that Christ gave his flesh for the life of world so many times, that we know the words by heart. But, it’s true. And, our gratitude will be profound when we arrive in heaven one day.
The readings for mass for the next few days, through this Saturday, will be about the Eucharist. This would be a good time to purposely seek to deepen our awareness and appreciation for Christ’s true presence in the Eucharist. It is very difficult to take time out of our busy lives to attend an extra mass during the week, or go to adoration, or just stop for a few minutes on our lunch break or after work to pray before the tabernacle at church, but there are many graces we can receive by doing this.
It is difficult sometimes to sit still for an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, but one thing is certain, that if we do, we will leave a better person than we were before. Jesus changes us. Just to sit before the Lord and soak in his presence is a healing and grace filled time. How long has it been since you have been able to go and just sit before the Lord and pray? To go and see Jesus and just to adore him?
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament:
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who visit the Most Blessed Sacrament to adore it; a plenary indulgence is granted, if the visit lasts for at least one half hour.
Prayer of Adoration and Petition:
I adore You, O Jesus,
true God and true Man,
here present in the Holy Eucharist,
as I humbly kneel before You
and unite myself in spirit
with all the faithful on earth
and all the Saints in heaven.
In heartfelt gratitude
for so great a blessing,
I love You, my Jesus,
with my whole soul,
for You are infinitely perfect
and all worthy of my love.
Give me the grace to never offend You.
Grant that I may be renewed
by Your Eucharistic presence here on earth
and be found worthy to arrive with Mary
at the enjoyment of Your eternal
and blessed presence in heaven.
Amen.
Daily Mass Readings:
Acts 8:26-40 / Psalm 66: 8-9, 16-17, 20 / John 6: 44-51
