9 May 2019 - taught by God

Today's Readings

(Audio)

"Do you understand what you are reading?" 
He replied,
"How can I, unless someone instructs me?" 

Yet they were now in the age about which the Prophets said, "They shall all be taught by God." We might expect God himself to directly intervene if we took that at face value.

Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage,
he proclaimed Jesus to him.

Philip did not speak his own words or ideas he formulated.

The Spirit said to Philip,
"Go and join up with that chariot." 

Because the Holy Spirit was leading Philip the eunuch truly was taught by God through him. Philip did not prepare in advance what he would say. He didn't even know he'd be meeting the eunuch until it happened much less what specific passage he would be reading in Scripture. Yet God had clearly set all of this up as a perfect opportunity to speak about Jesus who was like "a sheep led to the slaughter" about him the Eunuch just "happened" to be reading.

Just as Jesus opened the hearts of the disciples to the Scriptures on the way to Emmaus so too Philip now proclaimed Jesus from the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit was making Jesus present, even to the end of the world (see Matthew 28:20). 

What is to prevent my being baptized?

The Eunuch was now desperate to be united to the One whom he now knew suffered and died for his sake. Jesus himself desired this even more. The Eunuch believed and therefore Jesus was pleased to give him eternal life.

When our minds are opened to the Scriptures and we believe we are not meant to stop at the union with Jesus which baptism brings about. Rather, we look to the even more profound union we experience in the Eucharist. 

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 wants to speak to us through others and others through us. We need to be ready and listening. He often takes us by surprise on the road to Emmaus. But if we let him he always leads us to himself, he who is the living bread that came down from heaven.

Bless our God, you peoples,
loudly sound his praise;
He has given life to our souls,
and has not let our feet slip.