“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?”” (Acts of the Apostles 8:36)
In commenting on this verse from today’s First Reading, Saint John Chrysostom writes:
“And notice again his modesty. He does not say, “Baptize me,” or keep quiet, but he utters something halfway between eagerness and reverent fear, saying, “What is to prevent me?” Do you see that he has learned the doctrines [of faith] perfectly? For the prophet indeed had the entirety: incarnation, passion, resurrection, ascension, judgment to come. If he shows great eagerness, do not wonder. Be ashamed, those of you who are unbaptized! “And he commanded the chariot to stop.” He spoke and gave the order before he heard [Philip’s answer]. “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip.” This was to show that what had happened was divine, that he should not think that it was only a man.” (Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, 19)
Collect
Almighty ever-living God,
let us feel your compassion more readily
during these days when, by your gift,
we have known it more fully,
so that those you have freed
from the darkness of error
may cling more firmly
to the teachings of your truth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
let us feel your compassion more readily
during these days when, by your gift,
we have known it more fully,
so that those you have freed
from the darkness of error
may cling more firmly
to the teachings of your truth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord is risen. Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
