Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
After Paul’s escorts had taken him to Athens, they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. (Acts 17:15)
Sometimes, people are just stuck waiting. Paul was dropped off in Athens, and had simply to wait until others came to join him. While he waited, however, he looked around and took in the public sights of the city. He then went to the Acropolis, the place of public disputation and addressed especially the learned among the people.
While many of our days are busy with trying to figure out possibilities of work and family care, and how to stay safe and healthy, there are also moments when the shift from an earlier normal routine has left gaps of unscheduled time. This might be when we go to the Internet as our contemporary public square, to take in the sights and to catch up on the latest disputations. St. Paul’s manner of engaging the Athenians has lessons for us when we engage those popular discussions (perhaps as simply as responding to a social media post).
First, St. Paul acts in a way St. Ignatius would appreciate. “Go in through their door to come out your own” was a favorite adage of Ignatius. Paul could have begun with a rebuke of Greek idolatry, but instead he considers how the many shrines of Athens pointed to the religious yearning of its citizens. “You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious.” (Acts 17:22) Do I see the good qualities of those with whom I disagree? Second, Paul has gotten to know the culture of the people to whom he speaks. He has read Greek poets so well, that he can quote not only some beautiful sayings, but ones which convey true understandings of God. “For ‘In him we live and move and have our being,’ as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’” (Acts 17:28) Can I quote the real wisdom of those with whom I argue? Lastly, the Apostle to the Gentiles does not shrink from announcing the essentials of the faith, even when it means being ridiculed. “When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff…” (Acts 17:32) It is okay for conversation partners not to accept what is said all at once. Our Lord knew this about the apostles: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” (Jn 16:12) Am I willing to speak the truth, gently but firmly, even if others will not immediately agree?
Let us pray that in our time engaging with others, we may remember the divine purpose of creation: “so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though indeed he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27) Let us pray that our words (spoken and written) may be so filled with the Spirit who comes to fill our hearts that we may find the One who is not far from us and help others in their search as well.