Good News About Jesus
Acts 8:26-39 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. RESOURCE (attachment) “All Families of the Earth Shall be Blessed” LET US PRAY: Christ Jesus, you lived in the same way you taught us; you welcomed the people that others despised. You talked and you ate with the poor and the outcast; you saw every person through welcoming eyes. Forgive our re-building the walls you have broken— our making of barriers you came to tear down. The gift of your cross is the world’s reconciling with God and with all of God’s people around. (Source: O God of Creation, We See All around Us - v. 2) After reading today’s scriptures, prayer, and resource, reflect…
What is your favorite story in the Bible about God accepting a person who is different?
If God’s plan – from Abraham on – is to bless all the families of the earth and the Church’s mission is to fulfill this plan, why is there a lack of diversity in many congregations?
What questions does this devotion bring up for you?
How do you feel God speaking to you through today’s devotion?
Be sure to journal your thoughts. We will have a collective discussion on JUNE 24 at 11AM. RSVP to let Father Michael know your participation, and he will send you the Zoom link.