First Reading
Acts 8:26-40
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goes down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert.
27And rising up, he went. And look a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.
28And he was returning, sitting in this chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet.
29And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.
30And Philip running there, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest you that you understandest what you readest?
31Who said: And how can I, unless some man show me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth.
33In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth?
34And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beg you, of whom does the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man?
35Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached to him Jesus.
36And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what does hinder me from being baptized?
37And Philip said: If you believest with all your heart, you may. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.
39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing.
40But Philip was found in Azotus; and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.