Reading 1,Ā Acts 8:26-40
26Ā TheĀ angelĀ of theĀ LordĀ spoke to Philip saying, ‘Set out at noon and go along the road that leads fromĀ JerusalemĀ down to Gaza, theĀ desertĀ road.’
27Ā So he set off on his journey. Now an Ethiopian had been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem; he was a eunuch and an officer at the court of the kandake, or queen, of Ethiopia; he was her chief treasurer.
28 He was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he was reading theĀ prophet, Isaiah.
29Ā TheĀ SpiritĀ said to Philip, ‘Go up and join that chariot.’
30Ā When Philip ran up, he heard him readingĀ IsaiahĀ theĀ prophetĀ and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’
31Ā He replied, ‘How could I, unless I have someone to guide me?’ So he urged Philip to get in and sit by his side.
32Ā Now the passage ofĀ scriptureĀ he was reading was this: Like a lamb led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep dumb in front of its shearers, he never opens his mouth.
33Ā In his humiliation fair judgement was denied him. WhoĀ willĀ ever talk about his descendants, since hisĀ lifeĀ on earth has been cut short?
34Ā The eunuch addressed Philip and said, ‘Tell me, is theĀ prophetĀ referring to himself or someone else?’
35Ā Starting, therefore, with this text ofĀ scriptureĀ Philip proceeded to explain theĀ goodĀ news ofĀ JesusĀ to him.
36Ā Further along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look,is some water; is there anything to prevent my being baptised?’
37Ā
38Ā He ordered the chariot to stop, then Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water and he baptised him.
39Ā But after they had come up out of the water again Philip was taken away by theĀ SpiritĀ of the Lord, and the eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.
40Ā Philip appeared inĀ AzotusĀ and continued his journey, proclaiming theĀ goodĀ news in every town as far as Caesarea.
Responsorial Psalm,Ā Psalms 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
8Ā Nations, bless our God, let the sound of his praise be heard;
9Ā he brings us toĀ lifeĀ and keeps our feet from stumbling.
16Ā Come and listen, all who fear God, while I tell what he has done for me.
17Ā To him I cried aloud, high praise was on my tongue.
20Ā Blessed beĀ GodĀ who has not turned away my prayer, nor his own faithful love from me.
Gospel,Ā John 6:44-51
44Ā ‘No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me, and IĀ willĀ raise thatĀ personĀ up on the last day.
45Ā It is written in the prophets: TheyĀ willĀ all be taught by God; everyone who has listened to the Father, and learnt from him, comes to me.
46Ā Not that anybody has seen the Father, except him who has his being from God: he has seen the Father.
47Ā In allĀ truthĀ I tell you, everyone who believes has eternal life.
48Ā I am the bread of life.
49Ā Your fathers ateĀ mannaĀ in theĀ desertĀ and they are dead;
50Ā but this is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that aĀ personĀ may eat it and not die.
51Ā I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this breadĀ willĀ live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for theĀ lifeĀ of the world.’
