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.’” Paul uses the knowledge of this shrine as a springboard from which to teach. As a chaplain much of what I do is listen for the story of the patient and their family, and then use it as a foundation for bringing spirituality and prayer into their reality.
While this may sound like an intellectual exercise, faith is an ongoing process that involves both head and heart. Balancing head and heart in ministry, in discipleship is not always easy. It demands compassionate listening that allows one to enter the story the other person. As disciples this may mean a level a vulnerability that makes us uncomfortable. It is important to be aware and attentive to ones boundaries. We also must be willing to go beyond our comfort zone to evangelize others.
The Holy Spirit is the animator that gives us the understanding, courage and wisdom to bring gospel beyond our own limits. Faith teaches us that the “Spirit of truth” will come guide us. 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? Doing this is not easy. As a new deacon I thought it would be easy to understand my identity. Certainly, I understand the theology and spirituality of this clerical state, yet I was unprepared for questions like, “Should I call you Deacon Mike?” The short answer is I do not know. Thus while I am a new person, with a broader ministry, I am called to a faithful discipleship who glorifies the Lord with my life. My prayer is that we all are grateful for the ministry we have been given and that we realize the grace we are being offered.
Advocate, open our minds and hearts so that our very being, along with all of Heaven and earth give praise to You. Amen. Alleluia!
- Deacon Michael Montgomery