Daily Readings - Wed May 28 2025
Acts
15And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.19And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.21For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.33So Paul departed from among them.34Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
John
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of revelation and truth. In the first reading from Acts, Paul stands in the heart of Athens, surrounded by idols and philosophical debates. He seizes the opportunity to proclaim the one true God, using the altar inscribed “To the Unknown God” as a bridge to the Athenians’ understanding. Paul’s message is clear: the God who created all things, who is beyond human-made temples and statues, is the same God who calls all people to seek Him. This passage reminds us that even in the midst of confusion and idolatry, God’s truth can shine through when we engage the world with wisdom and love.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the Spirit of truth, who will guide His disciples into the fullness of truth. The Holy Spirit, He says, will take what belongs to Him and reveal it to us, glorifying Jesus in the process. This passage invites us to trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives. Just as the Spirit led Paul to proclaim the Gospel in Athens, the Spirit continues to lead us today, helping us understand and live out God’s truth in a world that often misunderstands or resists it.
These readings call us to reflect on how we engage with the world around us. Like Paul, we are called to share the Gospel in a way that connects with the people and cultures we encounter. At the same time, we are reminded to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, trusting that He will lead us into deeper understanding and faith. May we, like Paul, be bold in proclaiming God’s truth, and may we, like the disciples, remain open to the Spirit’s prompting in our lives. Let us seek to live as people of truth, guided by the Spirit and rooted in God’s love.