Wednesday 8 May 2024

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Today is Wednesday 8 May, in the 6th week of Eastertide.

In today’s reading, we will hear: ‘In Him we live and move and have our being.’ As IAMSON sings, ‘Always With Me’, notice the ways in which you are living, moving and being in Jesus today.

I can make through the day

When you're with me on the way

In my heart and mind you'll stay

I can make it through the night

When I'm clinging to your light

You will make the darkness bright

For you are always, always with me

For you are always, always with me

In the calm and in the storm

When it seems I'm all alone

It's your hand I find to hold

In each hour of unrest

When it seems I've nothing left

You speak peace in every breath

For you are always, always with me

For you are always, always with me

In the morning, in the evening

When I'm waking, when I'm sleeping

When I'm arriving, when I'm leaving

You will have me in your keeping

Even from my mothers womb

Never hidden from your view

I was always known to you

When I fade away in death

You will catch my final breath

You will take me to my rest

For you are always, always with me

For you are alway, always with me

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 17:15,22-18:1

Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, ‘Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For “In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your own poets have said,

“For we too are his offspring.”

Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, ‘We will hear you again about this.’ At that point Paul left them. But some of them joined him and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Scripture can be so richly evocative that it invites us to enter imaginatively into the scene. Take a few moments to centre yourself and invite the Holy Spirit to open your heart to God's presence.

As you settle into a quiet space, allow your mind to journey to the bustle of city streets and squares, alive with diverse cultures and faiths. Perhaps you are a visitor to the city yourself, wandering the streets, considering the history of the buildings that surround you. Into the scene comes a man, alone but with a presence that calls for attention. Paul calls out to the city folk. You pause in your wandering and find a spot to sit, to listen, to observe.

‘Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way.’

Paul’s phrase is ambiguous. Is this a compliment or comment? Enough to catch the attention of passersby. As the warmth of the Mediterranean sun warms you, you notice the murmuring buzz of voices around you. Paul takes a theatrical breath, his gaze drifts over the grandeur that surrounds him— temples dedicated to countless gods and goddesses.

Today, we might imagine the many distractions that call to people, taking their attention away from the spiritual life. Is this something that speaks to you?

“To an unknown god.”

Paul has found his focus. The altar of the "unknown god". Sparking recognition within the hearts of his listeners. Perhaps they had their own thoughts about this god, perhaps they had reflected on the mystery themselves. Perhaps you can imagine walking past this monument, would you have paused or walked on to more familiar deities?

“In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your own poets have said,

“For we too are his offspring.”

See Paul addressing the crowd, his passion and intellect engaging those around him. Listen to his words infused with wisdom and grace. See the different responses as some move to the inner circle as others turn away. Reflecting on Paul’s approach how are you inspired to engage with others in a spirit of humility and respect.

Consider times when you have shared your own experiences of the living God in your life. How have you responded to scepticism and disbelief?

As the shadows beginning to lengthen and the air starting to cool, imagine your witness of the transformative power of the gospel at work in the hearts of the Athenians. What feelings arise within you as recognise your own place in in this mission?

As the scene fades, take this moment to be thankful for this time with Paul in the streets of Athens, for the lessons learned and the insights gained along the way. Take the time to share these with the Lord in gratitude and faith.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.