Thursday 8th May – Thursday of the 3rd week of Easter

Reflection: Acts 8: 26-40

THE GOD WHO REDEEMS US

In today’s readings, we see human efforts pitched against God’s grace and we hear the words of Christ resounding so clearly: “No wan can come to me, unless the father draws him” (John 6:44). Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, we have continually seen the God who seeks man out from the depth of his mystery, from the mist of his confusion, who draws man out of the mire of despair and from his well deserved fate of death. This God is all too eager to draw to Himself all who seek Him. It is Him who places in our heart the will and the longing for him, and He does this so as to bring us to the fullness of salvation with himself through our knowledge of Jesus Christ.

This same God, who placed it in the heart of the Eunuch to long for him, also places a longing desire in our hearts. So that we who are predestined unto eternal life may seek him, the source of all life. He has also placed within our reach, the means of eternal life: Baptism – the father’s means of drawing us to himself. Each time we make effort to seek God, in his Word and Sacraments, we are making ourselves available for a renewed baptism, a new infilling, a new opportunity to draw close to God and a share in the mystery of the Grace of God who redeems us.

Prayer: Lord, alone and unaided, we are unable to please you, we beg thee, hasten with your grace to help us and draw us into your saving arms, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 169 – On Salvation

Salvation comes from God alone, but because we receive the life of faith through the Church, she is our mother. We believe the Church as the mother of our new birth, and not in the Church as if she were the author of our salvation. Because she is our mother, she is our teacher in the faith.

HIDE A TREASURE: “But God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 8 CCB

Readings for today: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 66: 8-9, 16-17, 20; John 6: 44-51