Jesus was driven by the conviction that he had been sent by the Father to bring life to all who were willing to listen to him. So we find him in today's Gospel speaking to a crowd of people about the Bread Of Life. Bread brings life and he brings life.

Philip was one of the earliest followers of Jesus even though he had never met him face to face. In today's Epistle he is literally following in at least some of Jesus' footsteps by going to the Samaritan people. They received him with great joy. It cannot be denied that the Samaritans received a mixed press in the Bible. To some they seemed semi-pagan and unfaithful to the full religious traditions of the Jewish people. Jesus, himself, however found them open to the truth, even thirsting for it. He was warmly welcomed by many of them. Luke presents them as sincerely religious people no matter what impression to the contrary they might have given.

God speaks in surprising ways to those who might seem irreligious to those who are too confident in themselves. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Philip after his success in Samaria continued on his surprising way to meet another surprising person.