Daily Readings - Wed May 29 2019
Acts
15Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.19And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?20For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean."21Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.22So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.23For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.24The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,27that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,28for "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'29Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,31because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this."33So Paul went out from their midst.34But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
1After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
John
12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of divine guidance and proclamation. In Acts, Paul finds himself in Athens, a city steeped in idolatry and philosophical inquiry. He seizes the opportunity to preach about the unknown God, cleverly connecting their idolatrous practices to the one true God. Paul’s message is clear: the God who created all things is near, and He calls all people to repentance. This sets the stage for the Gospel, where Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who will guide the disciples into all truth. Jesus assures them that the Spirit will take what is His and declare it to them, glorifying Jesus because everything the Father has belongs to Him.
The context of these readings is pivotal. Athens, a hub of intellectual and philosophical activity, represents a world seeking meaning amidst idolatry. Paul’s approach is to bridge their beliefs with the Gospel, using the altar to the unknown God as a starting point. In John, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, promising the Holy Spirit as their guide. This promise is not just for the disciples but extends to all believers, offering comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty.
Both readings highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding us to truth and enabling us to proclaim the Gospel. Just as Paul was guided by the Spirit in Athens, and the disciples were promised the Spirit’s guidance, we too can rely on the Spirit in our daily lives. This calls us to trust in the Spirit’s leading as we share the Gospel in our own contexts, whether in our communities, workplaces, or homes. The moral lesson here is clear: the Holy Spirit is our guide and strength, empowering us to fulfill our mission to share the truth of God’s love with the world. Let us embrace this truth, trusting in the Spirit’s guidance as we navigate our own journeys of faith.