Aha moments

Readings for Thursday April 30, 2009

First Reading:  Acts 8:26-40

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 66

Gospel:  John 6:44-51

As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water.  What is to prevent my being baptized?" 
Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water,
and he baptized him. 
When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing.  (Acts 8:36-39)

This story of the eunuch is one of my favorite stories from the book of Acts.  Here we have a man who is seeking God and trying to understand the scriptures, when all of a sudden God sends someone who helps him out and interprets the scriptures for him.  After having the word of God explained to him, what is the eunuch's reaction?  He immediately wants to be baptized and to receive the grace that comes with this.  I can only imagine as the eunuch was listening to Philip how excited he must have become and how much his heart was probably burning to be closer to the Lord.  Most of us would call this an "Aha moment," when you realize the importance of something.  The eunuch certainly had an "aha moment" here as he immediately wanted to stop and be baptized.  Then afterwards, it didn't even matter that Philip had disappeared, the eunuch had just received grace from God and a means into heaven, is it any wonder he kept on rejoicing?  

The eunuch teaches us here the importance of listening to God in our lives.  By listening to His word, the people He puts in our lives, and the signs that He gives; we can be more in tune with His will.  By following His perfect plan for us, we will be led down a path that leads to an everlasting life with Him in heaven.  Let us always remember that it is not how much money we make, the awards we win, or the number of friends that we have in life that is going to get us to heaven; it is by listening and following God in our lives that will get us to heaven.  

I pray that while listening to our Lord, each of us may be blessed with many "aha moments" where we just get it, and you can believe that when these moments come, there will be great rejoicing.  

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day.  Lord, we pray for your will to be done in our lives and not that of our own.  Lord, you are our God, and we love you and trust in your plan for us.  Give us the strength and courage to follow you where ever you lead us to and help us to always be looking for you in our lives.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.