Daily Thought For April 21, 2021

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 The Inclusion of the Samaritans

WEDNESDAY

First Reading: Acts 8:1b–8

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 66:1–3a, 4–5, 6–7a

Gospel: Jn 6:35–40

In his commentary on Acts, Luke Timothy Johnson suggests the possibility that Saul may have instigated the action against Stephen. He offers three reasons to support his suggestion: First, Saul is from Cilicia, as are some of Stephen’s accusers; second, placing clothing at someone’s feet, as the witnesses placed their cloaks at Saul’s, is to recognize that person’s authority; and third, as today’s reading records, Saul leads the subsequent persecution. Be that as it may, today’s text proves the truth of the old saying “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Persecution, not Church policy, accounts for the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem and Judea and even into Samaria.

Philip’s conversion of the Samaritans will require the confirmation of the apostles in Jerusalem (see Acts 8:14–17). For the early Church, welcoming the Samaritans into the fellowship of Jesus’ followers would give new meaning to the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel: “I will not reject anyone who comes to me” (Jn 6:37).

Sirois, C. (2008). Word of Life: Daily Scripture Companion (p. 177). Boston, MA: Pauline Books & Media.

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