Acts 8: 26-40
The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, "Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route." So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and join up with that chariot." Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" He replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. This was the Scripture passage he was reading:
Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who will tell of his posterity?
For his life is taken from the earth.
Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, "I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?" Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him. As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?" Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing. Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for an end to abortion and the use of contraception.
"How can I, unless someone instructs me?"
The eunuch entered into the Church and into the mystery of God through Baptism. His baptism came about because he was seeking an answer.
How often do we spend the time seeking as the eunuch did? How often do we spend the time entering into the mystery of God and wrestle with it? How often do we turn to the other two pillars of our faith, Tradition and Authority (otherwise known as the Magisterium)?
Do we even realize that we still need to enter into the mystery of God daily?
I have grown complacent in my faith lately. After all, it is easy to stay close to the shoreline versus abandoning yourself to the rough waters. Have I sought comfort in "my" faith versus finding comfort in the Faith?
Have you heard the, "I don't want to be rich; I just want to be comfortable" line? I don't know about you, but I'm tired of being "comfortable". God has a great treasure, and He's a generous God.
Lord, remove whatever is preventing me
from fully pursuing the gifts waiting for me
through my baptism.
So that, with You and through You,
I may not seek complacency,
but rather, holiness which comes from You.
Amen.
Take care and God Bless.
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