Daily Readings - Wed May 25 2022
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 proclamation and truth. In the first reading from Acts, Paul stands in the heart of Athens, surrounded by idolatry and philosophical debate. He seizes the opportunity to preach Jesus and the Resurrection, using the altar to the “unknown God” as a bridge to connect with his audience. This moment captures Paul’s boldness and creativity in sharing the Gospel, even in a place steeped in paganism. He does not shy away from the unfamiliar but instead uses it as a starting point to reveal the one true God. The Gospel reading from John complements this with Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, who will guide us into all truth. Jesus assures us that the Spirit will not speak on his own but will reveal what he hears from the Father, glorifying Christ and making his teachings known to us.
These readings are deeply connected. Paul’s missionary work in Athens is an example of the Holy Spirit at work, guiding him to preach the truth in a way that resonates with his audience. Just as the Spirit of truth leads Paul to adapt his message without compromising its core, so too does the Spirit guide us today. The unknown God of Athens becomes the known God of revelation, and we are reminded that the Gospel is not confined to a particular culture or time but is universal. The Spirit’s role is to make the truth accessible, even in the most challenging environments.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we share the truth of the Gospel. Like Paul, we are called to be bold and creative in our witness, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Spirit of truth is not just a comfort but also a catalyst for mission. We are reminded that the Gospel is not something we keep to ourselves but something we are compelled to share, even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with courage and wisdom, that we might proclaim the truth with love and clarity, just as Paul did in Athens.