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.