full-phil-ment
"The Spirit said to Philip, 'Go and catch up with that carriage.' Philip ran ahead and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah. He said to him, 'Do you really grasp what you are reading?' 'How can I,' the man replied, 'unless someone explains it to me?' " —Acts 8:29-31
Before we recognize the risen Christ, we need our hearts to burn, as the Scriptures are interpreted for us (Lk 24:32). Jesus interprets the Scriptures for us not only by calling us to read the Bible but also by sending into our lives people like the deacon Philip to explain the Bible (see Acts 8:31). No matter how intelligent and educated we may be, we cannot understand well some major revelations in the Scriptures, for the Lord hides things from the learned and the clever (Lk 10:21). The Lord has set up His body, the Church, so that even the most learned will need the less learned in order to sufficiently understand the Scriptures (see 1 Cor 12:20-21; see also Acts 19:24-28). Therefore, we need:
- the Church,
- Christian community, and
- humility and docility.
The Lord has graciously sent many Philips into my life in order to make me a Philip for you so that you will be Philips for others. "The things which you have heard from me through many witnesses you must hand on to trustworthy men who will be able to teach others" (2 Tm 2:2). We need each other and are needed by others to understand the Scriptures and meet the risen Christ. Listen to the Philips; be a Philip.
Prayer: Father, teach me in any way and through anyone.
Promise: "They shall all be taught by God." —Jn 6:45
Praise: "Blessed be God Who refused me not my prayer or His kindness!" (Ps 66:20)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 4, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 1999