A Learned Teacher

First Reading: Acts 8:26-40
Psalm: Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
Gospel: Jn 6:44-51

Friends,

In today's reading, Philip is again being sent to preach the gospel to those outside of Judaism. He meets an Ethiopian returning home after a visit to Jerusalem who just happens to be reading the scriptures and helps him to understand their meaning and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

We rely on teachers to help us interpret the world that we live in. Students can read the math textbook, but they often will make no progress without a teacher's help. You can hand a new employee the store manual, yet, there is always someone there to help train them as well.

Jesus tells us in the gospel that we shall be taught by God, through the one who comes down from heaven. He also promised us the gift of the Holy Spirit, to guide and direct our journey; a promise fulfilled at Pentecost.

Reflect for a time today on who is a teacher in your faith life. Who can you go to when you have questions? Seek them out, as well as those who first taught you of our Lord's love, and thank them.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Thank you for blessing us with teachers on our journey. Bless those teachers with the gift of discernment, that they might share what they have been given with all. Guard their minds and hearts from being swayed by the devil and his angels. Bless also those that listen to those who bring the word of Truth. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.