Wednesday 6th Week of Easter

 

 In the first reading St. Paul boldly proclaims the truth. He told the people of Athens, that they are religious. However, their religiosity is not in accord with truth. They are religious in the fact they are trying to worship God by their practices and the construction of their shrines. They had an altar made in which they were offering sacrifice to an “Unknown God”.

Paul told them the truth, that there is only one God, who made the world and all that is in it. He is the Lord of heaven and earth. St. Paul states that God is not dependent upon man, rather, God is the one who gives life and breath to everyone. God is all powerful, and therefore created the entire surface of the earth and fixed the seasons and boundaries of the earth. While God is not dependent upon man, He creates man and sustains man, so that man may live and move and have being. Paul told the people of Athens, God is not like an image made of gold, silver or stone. God understands their ignorance because He had not come to them before now, but now He demands all people everywhere to accept Jesus, and that He rose from the dead and wants them to repent, because He will someday judge the world with justice.

The response to his proclamation was mixed, some scoffed at him, while others wanted to hear more. Because they heard the truth, some joined him, and became believers.

In the Gospel, Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide all to the truth.” After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, it would be the Holy Spirit, who would speak through the apostles, including Paul, which would help the people to come to know the one true God, and that Jesus rose from the dead for their salvation.

Today, let us be not afraid to proclaim the truth. The truth that Jesus is risen from the dead, and is with us in the Eucharist. And that the Catholic Church today, has within Her, the deposit of faith, which is the entire truth revealed by God, to guide all men to the truth and their salvation.

And may Our Blessed Mother, Mother of the truth, lead us ever to deeper commitment in proclaiming that truth. She is the one, who bore, Jesus, who is the way, the truth, the life.