Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Today's Scripture
Acts 17:16–34

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and also in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities.” (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) So they took him and brought him to the Areopagus and asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means.” Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there would spend their time in nothing but telling or hearing something new.

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. (NRSV)

Reflection

We live in a world of diverse and divisive opinions. One of the things I admire about Paul is his willingness to engage in conversation. It is far simpler to isolate yourself with individuals who agree with you instead of crossing the divide in hopes of being able to bring people together.

Paul takes the time to understand the Athenian perspective in order to use their beliefs to make the argument for Jesus Christ. If we truly took the time to get to know those whose beliefs differ from our own, would we discover that our beliefs are really not that different at their core?

Additionally as I read this passage, I can not help but think about the many idols in my life, the things that I sometimes allow priority over my relationship with God. There are more than I care to admit. But as I reflect on why I give these idols so much influence on me, it often boils down to material things that give me a sense of belonging, security, control, and power — things that God is already providing me without the need to earn, buy, or fight for them. My job is simply to accept them.

Prayer
Loving God, open my heart and mind to your grace. Give me the courage and curiosity to expand my horizons and engage with people whose opinions differ from my own. Give me the strength to let go of my worldly idols and trust in your love for me. Amen.

Written by Katie Patterson, Manager for Worship and Youth Ministry

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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