Today's first reading recalls an important step in the mission of the early Christian church. As Jesus said farewell to His disciples He commissioned them to be His witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). If we take Jerusalem and Judea as one unit, Philip's entry into Samaria can be regarded as the first step into the great, big outer world. It was marked by another Pentecost. It is interesting to note that Philip is the first recorded individual missioner heading off on his own. Furthermore the mission is sparked off by persecution, of which one of the main organisers was the future Paul!

We need not be surprised then when, in the second reading, we meet a calm and confident Peter. He wants us to be able to make a solid defence of our faith, but he tells us that there is no need to be too vehement about it. He implies that the beauty of the faith itself is its own best witness and this is shown by our gentleness, reverence and purity of conscience.

The courage of Philip and the calm confidence of Peter must be due to their presence at that very famous meal described in to day's Gospel when Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit as a permanent friend and guide.