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The Acts of the Apostles describes the highs and lows – the life, ministry, and persecution – experienced in the early Church.
Today, for example, is a good day.
Philip, one of the earliest Christians, is leaving Jerusalem when he comes across an Ethiopian court official reading the prophet Isaiah.
“I beg you,” this man says, “about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself or about someone else?”
Because Philip knows his faith, he’s able to break open the scriptures and explain to him that Jesus is the Messiah, the one whom the Jews longed to see. He is truly God in the flesh.
Immediately, this Ethiopian man believes and is baptized.
Tradition claims that this man went on to evangelize Ethiopia, which became home to one of the earliest Christian communities, one that is still active today.
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How many people do we know who are like this Ethiopian man, searching for God or are on the fringe of religion?
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Even millions of fallen-away Catholics could fall into this category.
If we are to bring them back or convert them like Philip did, then first we must know our faith – only then can we explain it to others.
As Saint Peter says, “Always be ready to give a reason to anyone who asks you about your faith in Christ Jesus.”
So if someone asked you today, “Who is Jesus? Why do you believe in him?”
What would you say?