Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Good story tellers can have you on the edge of your seat and have you hanging on their every word. They are so good at emphasizing the right words changing their voice so that they draw us into the story. There is one more part to it that St. Paul clearly understands, by making the story connect directly into the lives of his audience.
Today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles St. Paul understands his audience and how to reach into their lives. His marketing of the gospel was Evangelization at its best. From the cultural center of the ancient world, St. Paul spoke to the Athenians and now through these scriptures to us. Before he spoke Paul observed the culture and realized that the Greeks were very religious. Paul “even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’”(Acts17:23b) Paul uses the knowledge of this shrine as a springboard from which to teach. Paul even uses a style of discussion as well as intellectual concepts familiar to his Greek audience. It is into this context that Paul weaves theological lessons that begin to sow the seeds of faith. From the reading, we learn that conversion began through Paul catechizing his audience “about resurrection of the dead.” (Acts 17:32a)
Of course we know that faith is more than an intellectual exercise. Faith is an ongoing process that involves both head and heart. Paul quotes, ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ This quote from a poet who lived in 600 BC certainly expressed for Paul that we are totally dependent on God for our very existence. Our dependence on God and not ourselves calls us to be grateful always for the gift that is our lives.
The Gospel reading from John reminds us of Jesus’ promise to send us the Holy Spirit. This “Spirit of truth” will come to guide us. It is this same Spirit that helps the Church and us, interpret the signs of the times in light of the Revelation given to us by Jesus. It is this same Spirit that guides our daily lives to sanctify us. Have we been allowing the Holy Spirit to enter the story that is our lives? How have we been inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us? As you live and move about today, ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide. Then, like Paul, our lives, words and deeds will express to whom our being belongs.
Advocate, open our minds and hearts so that our very existence, along with Heaven and earth give praise to You. Amen. Alleluia!
-Michael Montgomery