Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 18 April 2024
Third Week of Easter – Thursday
Acts 8:26-40. John 6:44-51
Unless the Father draws
In the gospel reading, Jesus’ discourse on ‘bread of life’ continues further. Jesus, by citing “God himself will teach all,” asserts that no one can come to him unless the Father draws him or her.
How do we understand the expression ‘being drawn by the Father’?
A magnet attracts a piece of iron. The iron that comes into contact with the magnet acquires the qualities of the magnet. This is how God attracts us.
The Devil or Satan also attracts. This attraction is like that of a black hole. The black hole in the universe attracts everything that comes close to it. Even the sun will disappear if it goes near the black hole. In this type of attraction, one becomes totally absorbed by the other. When Satan attracts us, we too become extinct.
Do we get drawn by God or by Satan?
When I am attracted by God, I begin to attract other people, as is witnessed in the first reading. Deacon Philip attracts a finance minister to Christ. The minister acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God.
Philip has been guided by the Holy Spirit all along. God attracts Philip so that he may attract other people.
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“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long” (Ps 25:5). (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 75)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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