Heart of the Encounter
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?”
So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.
Acts 8:30-31
How many of us want to understand the mysteries of life? Or know the secrets to joy and happiness? Or for some closer to home, how many of us want to just know how to get through this week and put food on the table? In the Acts of the Apostles, while on his way preaching the Good News, the Angel of the Lord told the Apostle Philip to go south. When he listened and followed the path as instructed, there he saw an Ethiopian court official who was reading from the Prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit told Philip to go to him. Philip did and he asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
By this question, Philip opened up for the court official windows and doors of opportunity and grace. By being docile to the Holy Spirit, Philip was able to communicate a great gift to the court official. The Spirit may challenge us, but He will never lead us astray or bring us to situations we will be unable to handle or face. Because Philip listened to and followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the Ethiopian court official was able to come to know Christ and come to faith, being baptized into the family of God. Through encountering Philip, the court official encountered Christ. Likewise, through encountering the court official, Philip encountered Christ. At the heart of every encounter is Christ. It is the Christ in one that recognizes the Christ in the other. It is through encounter that faith was brought to the court official.
Who is the Lord asking me to ask "Do you understand?" today? Or who is asking me that question today? One question and one act of humble receptivity can open up unto us a door of overflowing grace. Let us never, in our fear or pride miss out on a chance to encounter Christ in the other, and allow the other to encounter Christ in us. May we always offer that invitation to encounter. We need one another on this road of discipleship. Holy Spirit, teach me to listen to you with open ears and a docile heart so that the hearts of many may be revealed.
