Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage,
he proclaimed Jesus to him.
This is what we are called to do as well. More than explaining doctrine, theology or moral issues we are called to proclaim Jesus to others. More than telling people what they should and should not do we are called to invite them to follow Jesus. Everything else ends up being insufficient. No knowledge of the moral law, or theological proofs, or liturgical practice is enough without an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. All these other things aim toward him as their goal. But if Jesus remains obscured so too does the meaning behind the rest. When Jesus is central to the proclamation all else falls into place. It almost seems to easy because now it does not depend on our efforts.
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.
We often have trouble because we ourselves don't really understand how Jesus intersects with our practice in the liturgy and our performance in the moral life of virtue. But the answer to both of those questions is actually quite simple.
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.
Jesus is the bread of life that we receive in the Eucharist. His life for the world is what makes any virtue possible. It is his life in us that brings forth anything that is good and praiseworthy. This is why the bread of life is essential. It all begins with the proclamation of Christ.
Bless our God, you peoples,
loudly sound his praise;
He has given life to our souls,
and has not let our feet slip.
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