Alive in the Spirit

The texts of the Roman Catholic Lectionary today touch on the nature of our experience of intimacy and fulfilment in our relationship with God. The passage from the Acts of the Apostles tells of the encounter between an Ethiopian eunuch and Philip after the Apostle is commanded by the Lord through the action of the Spirit to go and spread the Good News. The surrender of Philip to the promptings of the Spirit brings instruction about Jesus through the Book of Isaiah to the pagan official of the Ethiopian court. The nature of the response of the men to the Presence of God presents the spontaneity characteristic of being seduced by God. The passage from the Gospel of John sets up Jesus proclamation of the Life for the World which comes through the living bread which is His flesh. In setting up this powerful testimony of Jesus, John reminds us that we are drawn to intimacy by the Father. “They will all be taught by God” (John 6:45) is possibly a reference by John to Isaiah 54:13. Life in the Spirit open to the prompting of God to act according to His Will brings the fulfillment and intimacy of the living bread, Jesus, to us and those to whom we are sent. Be open to receive this living bread.