Seated in his chariot, [the Ethiopian eunuch] was reading the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit said to Philip,
"Go and join up with that chariot."
Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
He replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?"
When I was a boy in the 1950's, the Catholic Church in the United States was widely respected as well-organized, professional, motivated, and disciplined. It was hectored by many Protestant churches largely because of its enormous size, wealth, and success. No other religion could boast of so many churches, schools, hospitals, social agencies, retreat houses, monasteries, convents, and lay organizations.
But there was also the snickered aside, "Priests teach children and play with adults." They golfed, bowled, played softball, and talked sports with men; heard women's confessions; and taught children in the Catholic school system.
I am sure that's an unfair simplification of a culture and time that has largely vanished. (The Catholic Family Movement began in the 1940's and remains strong today.) But Catholic catechesis in the United States remains mostly for children. Adult education remains informal at best, as some individuals tune into Internet resources like Father Mike Schmidt's Bible in a Year, and The Catechism in a Year. Podcasts about Jesus are also extremely popular.
But actual gatherings of Catholic adults to read, study, discuss, and pray with the scriptures or the Catechism remain the province of grandmothers and some grandfathers. The groups are not large; a lively parish of thousand families should have a hundred such gatherings every week.
Active engagement in study and discussion, as opposed to passive attention to Internet resources, changes hearts and minds. In today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we find Philip catching up with the Ethiopian eunuch, to discuss the meaning of obscure passages from the prophet Isaiah. The African nobleman was eager to ask questions and learn; and Philip was enthused by the spirit of Jesus Christ. If Isaiah was forever ancient, the Gospel was forever new. Their meeting in that chariot on the road to Gaza was necessary and intended from the beginning of Salvation History.
As the United States descends into another chaotic period -- we've seen them before -- and begins an ascent to renewed energy, commitment, and direction, Catholic men and women are called to reengage the culture with an active, enthusiastic faith. God has sent the Catholic Church to say something to this bewildered, troubled nation, and a Catholic laity are his prophets.
Jesus's resurrection appearances were not to inform us that there is an afterlife; nor even to prove that He is God. We knew that already. He rose from the dead to fire us up and send us to all parts of the Earth. We'll make a difference when we are different, and that will happen when those who identify as Catholic live the Word of God in love.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.