Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Thursday May 8, 2025
Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
- First Reading – Acts 8:26-40: The angel of the Lord sends Philip to join an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading the prophet Isaiah on his way back from Jerusalem. After explaining the passage and proclaiming Jesus to him, Philip baptizes the eunuch, and the Spirit of the Lord takes Philip away while the eunuch continues on his way rejoicing.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 66: Honor God with your cheers for giving us life and stability. I will tell of His wonders and praise Him for not ignoring my prayers or withholding His mercy.
- Gospel – John 6:44-51: Jesus explains that no one can come to him unless the Father draws them, and that eternal life is given to those who believe in him as the bread of life which comes from heaven. He also speaks of giving his own flesh as the bread for the life of the world.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.
John 6:51
Themes for the Readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
The readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter focus on faith, understanding, and God’s promises. They invite us to reflect on how we respond to Jesus and how we share His message with others.
- Guidance of the Holy Spirit: In the first reading, Philip is guided by the Holy Spirit to meet the Ethiopian official. This reminds us to listen for God’s direction in our lives and follow where He leads.
- Helping Others Understand: Philip helps the Ethiopian man understand the Scriptures. This shows the importance of explaining God’s Word to those who are searching for meaning.
- Jesus as the Bread of Life: In the Gospel, Jesus teaches that He is the Bread of Life. He offers Himself as the source of spiritual nourishment and eternal life through the Eucharist.
- God’s Initiative in Salvation: Jesus explains that no one can come to Him unless drawn by the Father. This reminds us that faith begins with God reaching out to us.
- Baptism and New Life: The Ethiopian man is baptized after hearing Philip’s explanation. This shows how faith leads to action and a new relationship with God.
- Sharing the Gospel with Joy: Both Philip’s journey and the Ethiopian man’s response highlight the joy of spreading and receiving the Good News. Faith grows when it is shared with others.
Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter reminds us to trust in God’s guidance and share the message of Jesus with others. The readings encourage us to grow in faith and rely on Jesus as the Bread of Life.
Reflection for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
The readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter invite us to trust in God’s guidance, recognize Jesus as the Bread of Life, and act on our faith. They show how God calls and nourishes us, and how our response can lead to a deeper relationship with Him. These reflections encourage us to listen, believe, and take action in our journey of faith.
Guided by the Spirit
The first reading for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter shows Philip being guided by the Holy Spirit to meet the Ethiopian official. Philip does not hesitate to follow God’s direction, even though he does not know what will happen. His obedience leads to an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone searching for the truth.
This reminds us that God often guides us in unexpected ways. We may not always understand His plans, but when we trust Him and listen, He can use us to help others. Philip’s example shows the importance of being open to God’s call in our lives.
We can pray for the ability to hear God’s guidance and the courage to act on it. Like Philip, we are called to trust that God’s plans are always good. His guidance leads us closer to Him and gives us chances to share His love with others.
The Bread of Life and the Eucharist
In the Gospel for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter, Jesus speaks of being the Bread of Life. He invites everyone to come to Him for spiritual nourishment and eternal life. The Eucharist, where Jesus gives Himself to us, is a special way He fulfills this promise.
The Eucharist strengthens us and helps us grow in faith. It is a way to stay close to Jesus, who feeds our souls with His love and grace. When we receive the Eucharist, we are reminded of His sacrifice and His deep care for us.
Jesus’ words in the Gospel call us to trust Him as the source of all we need. The Bread of Life is not just about physical hunger but about the hunger in our hearts. In the Eucharist, Jesus meets this need and gives us strength to follow Him.
Faith That Leads to Action
Both the first reading and the Gospel for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter show faith in action. The Ethiopian official listens to Philip’s explanation of Scripture and responds with belief. His faith leads him to ask for baptism, taking a step that marks the beginning of his journey with God.
Faith is not just about understanding but about acting on what we believe. The Ethiopian man shows us the importance of responding to God with an open heart. His desire to be baptized shows how faith can move us to take bold steps toward God.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls people to believe in Him and trust His promise of eternal life. Faith is the starting point that leads to a deeper relationship with Him. These readings remind us that when we act on our faith, we grow closer to God and share His message with others.
The reflections for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter remind us that God is always drawing us closer to Him. He calls us to trust His plans, receive His grace, and share His message with others. May we grow in faith and follow where He leads.
Prayer
Lord, guide us by Your Spirit and help us follow Your plans. Open our hearts to trust Jesus as the Bread of Life and to act on the faith You give us. Help us share Your love with others and live as faithful witnesses. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How can you listen more closely for God’s guidance in your life?
- What does the Bread of Life mean to you in your faith journey?
- How does the Ethiopian official’s response inspire you to act on your faith?
- What steps can you take to share God’s message with others around you?
Homilies and Commentaries for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Word on Fire: Heavenly Food
In this reflection for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter, Bishop Barron comments on Jesus’ statement, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven,” emphasizing the unique nature of the Eucharist. Unlike ordinary bread, which becomes part of our physical being, the Eucharist transforms us spiritually, giving us a new life in Christ.
Heaven, as described by St. Paul, is beyond human comprehension, characterized by love for God. The Eucharist is a participation in the divine love shared between the Father and the Son, making Christ’s sacrificial love present and accessible to us.
Questions and Answers for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
What date is Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter?
The next date is Thursday May 8, 2025.
What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter?
The Mass readings for Thursday May 8, 2025 are:
First Reading – Acts 8:26-40: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 66: Delighting in the Wonders of God
Gospel – John 6:44-51: The Bread of Life
Why did Philip go to meet the Ethiopian man?
The Holy Spirit guided Philip to the Ethiopian man. This shows that God leads us to help others and share the message of Jesus.
What was the Ethiopian man reading for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter?
He was reading from the Scriptures but did not understand what it meant. Philip explained the passage to him and connected it to Jesus.
Why is the Ethiopian man’s baptism important?
The Ethiopian man’s baptism shows his faith and his desire to follow Jesus. Baptism is the start of a new life in God’s family.
How can we share the Gospel like Philip?
We can explain God’s Word to others with kindness and patience. When we listen to people’s questions, we can help them understand more about Jesus.
What does the joy in the readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter teach us?
Both Philip and the Ethiopian man show joy in sharing and receiving the Gospel. This reminds us that faith is meant to bring hope and happiness to our lives.
How does Philip’s story encourage us to trust God?
Philip’s willingness to follow the Spirit’s guidance shows how important it is to trust God’s plan. Even when we don’t know all the details, God leads us where we need to be.
What can we learn from the Ethiopian man’s faith?
The Ethiopian man was open to learning and ready to act on what he understood. His example encourages us to seek answers and follow Jesus with our whole heart.
What does Jesus mean by being the Bread of Life in the Gospel for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter?
Jesus is teaching that He gives spiritual nourishment and eternal life. He invites everyone to come to Him for what they need most.
What does the Gospel teach about the Eucharist?
The Gospel for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter points to the Eucharist when Jesus speaks of being the Bread of Life. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself to us, offering spiritual nourishment and strength for our journey of faith.
How does the Eucharist relate to eternal life?
The Eucharist is a gift that deepens our relationship with Jesus. By receiving Him in the Eucharist, we are united with Him and reminded of His promise of eternal life.
Why does Jesus say the Father draws people to Him?
Jesus reminds us that faith starts with God’s action. God invites us to believe and brings us closer to Jesus.
How do these readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter help us understand Jesus as the Bread of Life?
They show that Jesus is the one who satisfies our spiritual hunger. By believing in Him, we receive the life that only He can give.
Guided by Faith and Drawn to Jesus
The readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter show how faith begins with God’s call and grows through understanding. In the first reading, Philip listens to the Holy Spirit and meets an Ethiopian man who is reading Scripture. Philip explains the Word of God to him, helping him see how it points to Jesus. The Ethiopian man responds with faith and asks to be baptized.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of being the Bread of Life. He reminds us that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them. Jesus offers eternal life to all who believe in Him and promises to nourish them in a way that nothing else can.
These readings show how faith begins, grows, and bears fruit. God invites us to believe, and He provides what we need to stay close to Him. They remind us to listen to God’s guidance, share the Gospel with others, and trust Jesus as the Bread of Life.
Your Turn
Take a moment to reflect on the readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter. Think about how God is calling you to grow in faith and share His message with others. How has Jesus nourished you as the Bread of Life?
Consider how you can listen to God’s guidance and follow His plan in your daily life. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s encourage each other to trust in God’s care and grow in faith together.
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