It has been a long time since I last posted for various reasons, but here I am. If you're still set up to check in on my blog thanks for your perseverance! I have been reflecting on a passage and I thought I'd share some of my thoughts.
It is the passage from Acts when Philips meets the Ethiopian Eunuch. You can find the passage here.
At the heart of this story for me is the eunuch's question to Philip,
"What is to prevent me from being baptised?"
This question is at the heart of the passage because the eunuch is returning home from Jerusalem unsatisfied. He is reading but can't understand. He needs someone to help him. Philip, guided to be there by the Holy Spirit, runs up alongside. He was a powerful man but his power couldn't gain him entry to the temple. The reason, he was a eunuch! So Philips meets him on the desert road returning a rejected and dejected man.
It is this encounter that enable the eunuch to embrace God, because of Jesus, and ask his question about baptism.
As a Christian I find that this passage confronts me with some difficult questions. The first is: am I listening to God? It was the Holy Spirit who guides Philip to be in the right place at the right time. Am I pausing in the midst of my schedules to listen to God?
I know in my own daily life I can often find myself running around and calling out a quick prayer of 'here I am God.' When really I need to stop and listen for God's 'Here I am Robert!' As we start to reflect on this passage a good place to begin is to ask yourself the question, "What's stopping me?" What is getting in the way of you listening to God?
There is more I want to say on this passage but perhaps this is enough for now. I'd love to hear back from you so let me know you're thoughts.
Yours in Christ,
Robert+
The fact that he was rejected from the temple and yet Philip was there for him and baptised him does raise questions for me in relation to how I treat those within the Church who feel like they are rejected and outcasts.
ReplyDeleteTo be blunt there is so much that blocks me off from God. When I was unemployed I had lots of time and could pray the full liturgy of the hours. I could go for a walk and allow myself to just simply listen to God, and I could study God's Word as much as I liked. Then when I started working I used to leave for work an hour early, do my morning prayers in the carpark, then walk down to my place of work slowly just listening for God and trying to see the beauty of the creation (not the easiest thing to do in Magherafelt lol).
Now of course I rush about all day, hardly get time to pray, and the liturgy has gone out the window (except the odd compline). Lectio Divina seems like a distant memory, and I miss communion and celebrating Saint's Days (our communions on Saitn's days are held at 10:30am when I'm in work).
I feel let down in many respects by different people, but with the Grace of God I'll pull through this dark night and get back to a better life of worship.
@Wandering pilgrim it's always difficult to get balance in life.In Benedictine spirituality stability is an important concept. It is about a commitment to place (the monastery) but also to the people in that place. It is about appreciating that we (together) are the body of Christ. I hope fellowship and the guidance of leaders and believers will help you recentre your life and rediscover a balance and a vitality from God who is always there.
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