Reflection
Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles always gives me a chuckle. Paul attempts to engage the Athenians about all their shrines to various gods, particularly in his discovery of the altar inscribed to “an Unknown God.” The perfect segue for him to evangelize the group at the Areopagus as he compliments them on being “very religious” in every respect.
This time, when I read the text, I was reminded of the same phrase uttered by my ten-year-old grandnephew Tommy, as we both stood by the casket of my dear father, who had passed away following a short illness at the ripe old age of 92. As he looked at me, Tommy remarked, “Great-grandad Joe was very religious, wasn’t he?” In reflecting on his words, it was clear that he was correct; my dad was known as a very prayerful man who was deeply committed to his God, a quality we had observed throughout our lives. Yes, I said in response, Great-grandad Joe was very religious, but he was motivated by a deep desire for a relationship with God. Rooted in Christ’s love, it came from his heart and found expression and nourishment in the rituals and prayers of the Church. Tommy (one of my dad’s 25 great-grands) agreed.
Foundational to Paul’s invitation to the Athenians is this principle of relationship rather than simply going through the ritual motions—checking off the required boxes. He emphasized that he had the message to fully ignite those ritual steps they already observe, making it all come alive through the love of God, as made manifest in the resurrected Christ.
I often ponder how radical the concept of resurrection from the dead sounded to those assembled at the Areopagus. For some, it was a step too far, an inconvenient truth that should be deferred to “some other time.” Here at the Areopagus, where the wise come to debate, the message of the cross is foolishness as Paul suggests (1 Cor 1:18-25). Yet, some did listen, did recognize that spark of truth that seems to defy all human wisdom; an elemental resonance that situates truth with Paul’s words. This God, who is the creator of all, who is “not far from any of us.” A God who cannot be fashioned from anything of the earth, be it gold or silver, but rather is one who is always present. The great I AM.
This spark is the very Spirit of truth, present from the beginning, which ignites our desire and animates our life. Jesus, in our Gospel today, instructs the disciples to put their faith in this Spirit as the true Wisdom.
This treasure which we receive is his farewell gift to the world. It is a presence that descends upon the earth and fills the entire space (Acts 2:2), a presence which cannot be contained but flows freely wherever and whenever it is welcomed.
On this day in 1917, our Blessed Mother appeared to Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia in Fatima. Mary, who fully responded to the Spirit, invites us to realize the possibilities for our fractured world. She calls us to prayer, repentance, and conversion to achieve world peace and personal salvation. We, each of us, hold the key to unlocking and igniting the power of the Spirit to bring a better day.
May we strive for the gifts of the Spirit of truth in our lives. May we realize the blessing of ritual in nourishing our relationship with the risen Christ. May the power of the Spirit to touch hearts and minds be fully animated in our time.
Come, Holy Spirit, come into our hearts!
Amen.
