“So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.”
Acts 8:30-31
Returning from Jerusalem, the high official was reading the prophet Isaiah but did not understand its meaning. He let Philip ride in his chariot and agreed to listen. To explain the passage he did not understand, Philip preached the gospel. His preaching touched the stranger and he was baptized.
In the yonder world, there are certainly many souls who have questions. They do not understand why God did not intervene to prevent the misfortune that befell them. God does not explain everything He does. His answer is to send the Apostles. The apostolate proclaims the gospel and explains the plan of redemption. Those who accept the Apostles and believe in their preaching discover God’s love for them and the salvation He offers. And their prayers change: they no longer ask for explanations, they long to receive eternal life. God answers this prayer by giving them access to the sacraments dispensed by the Apostles.
This teaching applies to us too. Sometimes we have unanswered questions. Let us not be offended. Let us look at God’s plan for us as a whole. The Lord wants us to be with Him forever in His kingdom and gives us everything we need to achieve this! Let us believe in His love and trust Him!
The personality of the Ethiopian official is interesting. It refers to the universality of God’s salvation:
- The man came from Africa, he was not part of the chosen people—God offers salvation to all humankind, regardless of their origin;
- He held an important position in his country. As administrator of the queen’s treasury, he was probably wealthy—God wants the salvation of all humankind, great and small;
- He was a eunuch—in ancient times, certain sovereigns required their officials to be castrated. A way of ensuring that they did not abuse their position to create their own dynasty. According to Jewish law, the eunuch could not serve in the temple. But his infirmity did not prevent him from being baptized. God offers salvation to those who are rejected and live on the margins of society;
- According to the understanding of the time, a eunuch had no future, as he could have no offspring—in the yonder world, many souls are convinced they have no future. God offers them eternal life;
- Through castration, the sovereign signified to the official that his person was of little importance—he was esteemed only for the service he could render. Today, many people suffer from society’s lack of interest and consideration for them. We are only interested in how useful they can be to others. God loves every person for who they are!
Let us also look at the disposition of this man’s heart. The idol-worshipping that went on in his country did not satisfy him. The power and wealth he possessed were not enough for him. He was in search of God. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship the Lord and bring his offering, but neither prayers nor offerings brought him peace. He sought God in the Scriptures, but their meaning eluded him. Seeing that he was sincere, God sent him His servant. The Ethiopian accepted him, listened and believed his preaching. His faith allowed him to be baptized and continue his journey in joy.
The dead who believe in the Apostles’ preaching can receive the acts of salvation in the divine service for the departed. Baptism with water allows them to be incorporated into the Church of Christ. Those on the margins of society become full members of the body of Christ. Holy sealing allows them to enter the kingdom of God as firstlings. Those who had lost all hope now have access to the brightest future a person can achieve!