Getting to Know the Unknown

Acts 17:15, 22-18:1; John 16:12-15

 

Have you ever met God? 

Do you know Jesus? 

Have you felt the Holy Spirit working in your life?

If you answered “yes” to at least one of those questions, then you’re blessed.  But you’re also called.

When St. Paul came to Athens, he discovered that many people there not know God.  Others had never met Jesus, and others hadn’t even heard of the Holy Spirit.  They had many shrines to many gods, even “an unknown god.”  Paul boldly introduced them to God—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We do not have to travel to Athens or some other place far away to share Paul’s experience.  There are many people much closer to home—in our neighborhoods, perhaps even in our families—who do not know God.  Some have never had a personal encounter with Jesus or have not experienced the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

What St. Paul did in the ancient world is what we are called to do today:

We make God known. 

We share God’s word. 

We tell others the difference that Jesus has made in our lives. 

We make room for the Holy Spirit to guide us. 

This is our mission as disciples of Jesus.  This is the mission of the Church. 

St. Paul wasn’t one to preach in abstractions.  He proclaimed the gospel to people in their concrete circumstances.  We are called to follow his example.—JC