Thursday, April 18, 2013
Philip and the Ethiopian
Dear Friends,
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-39):
Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, “Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route.” So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he 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?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. This was the scripture passage he was reading: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will tell of his posterity? For his life is taken from the earth.” Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, “I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?”
Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him. As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing.
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We had another nice day yesterday with nice temperature and plenty of sun. We are now back in the springtime.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Listen to the Spirit, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who have accepted Me as your Savior. Like Philip you will be called to do various things and especially to visit some people to help them. When you are aware that the Holy Spirit is calling you, do not hesitate but go immediately to where the Spirit is leading you. You are to help this person in a special way. If somebody is sent to you to visit you, receive this person with open arms and listen to what this person has to say. You will know if this person comes from the Holy Spirit by judging how true are the words that he or she is telling you. If the person speaks to you about doing good, then accept it, but if it is about hating or doing evil then you know that it is from the devil, so do not accept what he or she has to say. What many need is help to strengthen their faith so they will believe in Me without any doubt or questioning. You must accept me as your Savior who is the Son of God. I came into this world to suffer and die for you because I love you. I want you with Me always. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin