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     The account of St. Paul's visit to Athens and his speech in the Areopagus (a kind of forum for public debate) is good material for the imagination.  He wanders around all the altars and images of various deities!  Such a display of idolatry could only leave him shaking his head and muttering!  Then, suddenly, there is an altar to "an unknown God!"  Were the Greeks trying to "hedge their bets?"  Is this the "just in case" deity?  St. Paul turns the whole scene on its head by insisting that the "unknown god" (unknown to the Greeks, that is) is the ONLY God - the God St. Paul proclaims.  His speech is a masterpiece of catechesis, carefully constructed for the situation.  He even uses lines from two Greek poets, Epimenides of Knossos and Aratus of Soli to support his argument!  Can we even imagine ourselves debating the fundamental question of faith in God in a public arena?  I have in mind a famous Dominican preacher in England, Vincent McNabb, OP, who regularly went to Hyde Park in London in full habit and debated all comers!

     When Jesus promises us the "Spirit of truth" which will "guide you to all truth," do we take him seriously?  Is this truth only some interior illumination that is meant only for the "consumer?"  Are we afraid that our public expression of faith will lead us to share St. Paul's and St. Justin's fate?  Do we fear clever arguments from self-designated "atheists?"  We learn from St. Paul's experience that not everyone will be convinced by what we say or so as faithful Christians, but some WILL.  We cannot allow fear to rule our faith or its expression.  We won't all be as feisty and extroverted as St. Paul, but sometimes it is the quiet statement and consistent loving behavior that convinces instead of the eloquent argument.  The Spirit of truth can teach us which is the best way each day.   AMEN