In today’s first reading, we reflect on one of Paul’s most famous missionary journey experiences. Before arriving in Athens, Paul had been in Berea, where the Jews welcomed him into the city. Acts 17: 11 says that the “Bereans examined the Scripture every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Many of the Jews, as well as the Greek women and men, believed. However, when the Jews in Thessalonica heard of Paul’s preaching, they agitated the crowds there, stirring up opposition. Paul was then escorted to Athens. This is the setting for today’s text.
Paul’s Journey to Athens
Paul’s encounter with the Athenians at the Areopagus reveals the challenge and beauty of the inculturation of the Gospel. Before preaching, Paul first walked through the city. He was a careful observer. He allowed the place, its symbols and religious imagination to speak to him. His preaching begins with a positive appreciation of the context: “You Athenians, I see that in every respect you are very religious…I even discovered an altar inscribed “To an Unknown God.” This suggests that their religious imagination was restless and cautious. They didn’t want to leave any god unrecognized.
Reading the Culture before Preaching
The Athenians’ recognition that there could be “an unknown god” says something deep about human beings. We are naturally religious. We sense that life is not self-explanatory. The human heart searches for meaning, protection, and contact with what is greater than itself. Paul understood this search. He does not mock the Athenians. He began from the small opening their own culture offered him and announced the God whom they worshipped without knowing.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers had already disputed with him about Jesus and the Resurrection. At the heart of Paul’s preaching stands this affirmation: “In Him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.” Paul speaks of the true God as the One in whom human existence itself is held.
The Challenge of the Resurrection
However, the resurrection truth was intellectually difficult for the Greek mind. Many of them considered the body inferior to the spirit. Their aspiration was to escape the body and ascend toward pure spirit. To say that God raised a body seemed to them a step backwards. Some mocked Paul. Others posted the question saying, “We would like to hear you on this some other time. Yet, some believed, including Dionysius, Damarius.”
The Word Still Bears Fruit
Here, we contemplate the power of the Word of God. Even in a difficult environment, where people mock God and the Gospel, there are always hearts open to the grace of His word. This confirms what Jesus told his disciples: “If they kept my word, they will also keep yours (Cf Jn 15:20). The refusal of many did not discourage Paul. From Athens, he moved to Corinth. The Word planted in the hearts of a few will continue to bear its fruits.
This is a message of Hope for us. The truth of God’s Word often needs time to be welcomed. Faith is not always received immediately. This is also what we learn from today’s Gospel.
Jesus says clearly to his disciples: “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.” When the Spirit of Truth come, he will guide you to all truth.” This reminds us that the journey of faith cannot be done without the Spirit. The truth of who God is, who we are, and the purpose of life is a gradual revelation of the Spirit.
Therefore, like Paul, we must learn to observe and listen to the signs of God’s presence in the world today. Like the disciples, we must remain humble and patient, trusting in the hidden work of God’s grace. It requires us to be humble and patient. God’s truth may be resisted and mocked today. But in hearts ready to receive God, His word continues to live and bear fruit.
