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April 22 - Acts 8: 26-40

Fr. Michael MachacekNativity of Our LordApril 22, 2021
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today's other readings are Psalm 66 and John 6: 44-51

In our parish pilgrimages to the Holy Land, every once in a while one would see some Israeli soldiers of East African origin.  They are Jewish, but either they or their parents came from Ethiopia, and had been airlifted by the Israeli government in the last 2 decades of the 20th century to come and live in Israel.  These Ethiopian Jews are known as Falashas, and trace their roots back to King Melenik I, the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of the Old Testament. 

Memories of the Falashas we would encounter comes to my mind when we read today's first reading of the encounter between the deacon Philip and the Ethiopian court official who had come to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple.

In this reading the court official is riding back home in a chariot after a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  Dear readers, please do consider how long a journey it would have been.  We are not talking about a few days, but at least a month.  Obviously this official is a man of faith.  In fact, when Philip encounters him, he is reading from the Book of the prophet Isaiah.    

Now Philip begins to teach him. And he must have done a great job for the man now wishes to be baptized.  But I admire Philip's methodology of teaching.  He takes something that the official is familiar with and then uses it to evangelize.  This methodology has been widely imitated over the centuries by Christian missionaries.  

For those who are missionaries, let us pray for them as they, just like Philip, share the good news of Jesus Christ with all they encounter.