Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
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May 20, 2020In the Gospel we hear Jesus preparing us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. What a great example of being filled with the Holy Spirit do we see it in Paul, in the first reading.
Paul goes to Athens to spread the Gospel message. The Greeks there had many false gods. If Paul would have come in and preached, he would have not gotten very far with them listening to him.
People would have been defensive and resistant to his message and the Gospel message. Therefore, Paul speaks to them on their level. They had many altars to many gods. Then they had one altar to an unknown god in case they missed one or some. Paul speaks using that altar and shrine to tell them that there is another God, the true God and so on.
He did not condemn them for their false gods but used their understanding to explain to them the true God.
Do we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us in these same ways? When we talk to others, do we shy away from speaking of Jesus and God the Father? Or if we speak about God, which is our responsibility, do we do it arrogantly and make others defensive?
We have to approach our families, and all around us in our lives with love and care breaking down the walls of defense. WE have to approach others by reaching out in ways they will understand as Paul did to the Greeks, yet with boldness.
We must use every opportunity to speak and evangelize using creative ways appealing to the likes and understandings of others.
This is one of the truest gifts of tongues, not necessarily an unknown language, but speaking the language of understanding of others in order for them to know God.
When we do, we will truly spread the Gospel like Paul did.
