The story of the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch reminds us that the good news of Jesus is for everyone, regardless of nationality or background. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Thursday of the third week of Easter can be found here.
Have you ever had the experience of being excluded from or left out of a group or community? For my part, I am scarred by my experiences of team games in PE at school. The two best boys at sport would be the team captains, and had to pick players one by one from the rest of the class to be on their team. Needless to say, I was always left right until last. Team sports not being my forte, no-one wanted me on their team. In the course of human history, many groups have experienced much more serious forms of ostracism or discrimination, whether it be on account of race, gender, religion, disability or sexuality.
One such group in the ancient world was eunuchs, castrated males who often served as court officials, such as the one we see in today’s reading from Acts. The book of Deuteronomy said that eunuchs could not be part of the community of Israel. Yet this eunuch is clearly a believer in the God of Israel, since he has been on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and is reading the book of Isaiah on his way home. Demonstrating the inclusive nature of the Christian Gospel, the Holy Spirit prompts Philip to go and explain the good news of Jesus to him. In a few short verses we see a beautiful journey of faith on the part of the eunuch, though his poignant words may carry a hint of his outsider status: “is there anything to stop me being baptised?” Happily Philip consents and the Ethiopian’s joy is complete. Two key lines in today’s Gospel reinforce these points. “Everybody who believes has eternal life”, says Jesus; “anyone who eats this bread will live forever”. Everybody; anyone … no exceptions.
In his life on earth Jesus broke down many barriers and reached out to the untouchables of his day. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, Christ died for all so that all may be one in him. Let us then seek to build a church and a world where everyone is included, no-one is left out, and all can come and know the wonderful redeeming love of God.
Mass today is in St Dyfrig & St Samson, Grangetown, at 10am.
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