Drawn Closer by God

 Readings 042326

As a deacon and spiritual director,
I hope I have something in common with Philip.
Philip was a deacon;
I am a deacon.
Philip was called to walk beside the traveler
and help him hear God’s voice.
And in my own ministry,
I try to do the same.

But this calling isn’t only for clergy.
Friends, we are all invited into this ministry—
to help people understand,
to help them see Christ,
to share the Good News
by the way we live and love.

And here is a truth we cannot ignore:
many people know the Bible well.
They can quote verses,
recall stories,
debate theology—
yet they do not know God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture is not a trophy to master;
it is a doorway into relationship.

In today’s reading, the traveler asks,
“How can I understand
unless someone helps me?”
It is an honest admission of need—
one we often hesitate to make.

But God answers immediately.
He sends Philip—
a companion for the road,
someone to sit beside him,
listen,
and open the Scriptures
in a way his heart can receive.

God still works this way.
He sends people at the right moment—
a friend,
a spouse,
a priest,
a spiritual guide,
sometimes even a stranger—
to help us see Christ more clearly,
not just to know about Him,
but to know Him.

And the traveler responds with courage:
“What is to prevent me
from being baptized?”
What is keeping me from going deeper?
What is keeping me from letting Christ
draw me closer?

Jesus answers that longing:
“I am the living bread…
whoever eats this bread
will live forever.”
He wants to stay with us,
to feed us,
to walk beside us
as surely as Philip walked beside the traveler.

Today, may we recognize
the companions God sends—
and may we allow Christ,
the Bread of Life,
to draw us closer still.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You walk beside us on every road.
Send us the companions we need,
and make us companions for others.
Open our hearts to Your living Word.
Feed us with the Bread of Life.
Draw us closer to You each day.
Amen.

The Scattered Seed

 Readings 042226 

“There broke out a severe persecution of the Church...” Acts 8:1 
That was the story of the early Church.
And, it still persists.

Persecution wears different faces.
In parts of Nigeria or the Middle East, it is Christians killed for their faith.
It is smoke rising from a vandalized parish…
or the heavy silence after a priest is taken.
These are the raw, physical crosses of modern martyrdom.

But persecution also comes in quieter forms.
Laws that limit ministry.
Surveillance of gatherings.
The pressure to hide your faith at work or school.
Different methods, same intent:
to make the believer feel isolated and small.

And even in the digital world, the pressure continues—
mockery of the faith,
harassment of clergy or laypeople,
or the subtle message that it’s safer to stay quiet.

Yet Scripture gives us a holy turning point.
Those who were scattered did not fade away.
They went about preaching the word.

And Jesus tells us why we can do the same:
“This is the will of my Father… that I should not lose anything of what He gave me… that everyone who sees the Son and believes may have eternal life.”

So even when the Church is pushed, scattered, or misunderstood, Christ is not shaken.
He gathers.
He protects.
He raises up.

The Father’s will is that nothing be lost.
We may be scattered by the pressures of this world—
but we are held by the hand of the Son.

And His promise stands firm:
He will not lose us.
He will raise us up.
The scattering is temporary.
The life is eternal.

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, 

Gather what is scattered.
Steady the hearts that feel pressed down.
Strengthen all who suffer for Your name.
Let Your light guard every step we take.
Let Your mercy hold our hope in place.
Keep us faithful in every trial.
Raise us up in Your everlasting love.

Amen