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.

Acts 8: 29-38

Here are the complete readings for Thursday, May 8, 2025.

(Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch from the Menologion of Basil II, an 11th-century illuminated manuscript)

Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles puts a spotlight on the Apostle Philip and his revolutionary choice to baptize someone culturally and geographically outside his faith community. In some ways, Philip was in the right place at the right time, but as we all know, simply having an opportunity does not mean we always seize it or use it properly. However, he had the awareness to be present to the eunuch, and the courage to respond to their question about being baptized. While unprecedented, there was nothing that would prevent Philip for welcoming the eunuch into new faith community. Yet Philip made his decision not by consulting the rules, but by trusting the sincerity of this believer and the Spirit that had brought them together. When have our moments of openness to what is possible actually been acts of grace? Can we think about times when we have had courageous conversations with people that were tense and awkward at first but resulted in fruitful dialogue and mutual respect? Did we trust someone with a responsibility that we feel they may not be ready for but were willing to support their decisions and actions? What angels might we be soon be entertaining in unlikely places?

Your Founder’s vision was unique.
He originally intended to form a community of laymen
who as religious brothers
would be sent as missionaries to the world.
As vowed members of the people of God,
sealed in baptism and confirmed by the Holy Spirit,
they would participate
in the Church’s mission of evangelization
through a life of gospel service
lived in solidarity and availability
among the people.
Now this understanding of mission
has been expanded to include
the many women and men
who collaborate with the Brothers in
Xaverian education and the Xaverian way of life.

– The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, open my eyes and ears to the places and people who cry out for belonging and for justice. Help us to see the light in others that they may not see themselves, and allow us to nurture that flame to brighten so that they may a beacon of hope to their community and the world. May we never dismiss anyone as “other”, and we give thanks that you have included us as your beloved children.

Amen