Word to the Wise
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - 6th Week of Easter - Wed
[Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 and John 16:12-15]"You Athenians, I see that in every aspect you are very religious. For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines, I even discovered an altar inscribed, 'To an Unknown God.' What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you." [Acts]
One can imagine St. Paul's exasperation at the sight of so many temples and shrines, given his intense faith and Jewish background! One wonders if his opening words in the "areopagus" (the public debating arena) are meant to be ironic. The "altar to an unknown god" must have been the last straw, even if it did give him an opening to his preaching. The preaching itself is a masterpiece of composition and could be recited today with good effect. The Greeks were clearly hedging their religious bets - a "just in case" theology!
However, before we point the finger at any polytheistic society (Hindu India, for example), perhaps we should take a look at our own religious culture. There are considerable secular "gods" that claim worship: money, power, drugs, sex, etc.. Indeed, the "unknown God" that Paul preached may be just as "unknown" in our own culture and time. Where are the real temples in our society? Is it just a coincidence that many of our important buildings look like Greco-Roman temples? (e.g. capitol building, supreme court building, New York stock exchange, the various "memorials" in Washington, DC?).
The coming of the Holy Spirit which we will celebrate on Memorial Day weekend has been given to us who are baptized to proclaim to our world the God it unknowingly worships. If necessary, we can just read St. Paul's speech. It's worth a try! Somebody just might listen! AMEN