Christ is Risen!
In today’s reading from the Book of Acts, Philip comes upon an Ethiopian man who is reading from the prophecy of Isaiah. When Philip asks him if he understands what he is reading, the Ethiopian responds, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31).
When I climbed Mount Rainer in 2004, I didn’t just begin that two-day journey up that mountain on my own, I had an experienced guide; someone who know the routes to the summit, the terrain, how to navigate crevasse fields, where to pitch our tents, and when to use and rely on ropes for our safety.
The same is true with our spiritual journey and quest for salvation. It certainly is possible to attain that goal on our own but is much easier if we rely on experienced guides who can help us navigate towards that destination. Someone to explain to us the Word of God and the meaning of the Gospel. A guide to enlighten us to the sacred mysteries of the Sacraments, Holy Scripture, Spirituality, and Prayer, as well as how to avoid the many hidden crevasses of evil and slippery slopes of sin.
Sometimes a spiritual guide can make all the difference between success and failure, but one must possess humility and a willingness to be led to make that possible.
Fr. John
