Commemoration of the Appearance of the Sign of the Precious Cross over Jerusalem at the Third Hour of the Day during the Reign of Constantine (351). Holy Martyr Acacius (286-305).
Acts 17:19-28. John 12:19-36.
Read Acts 17:19-28
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Today, let us reflect on an event from St. Paul’s second missionary journey, as recorded in Acts 17:19-28. St. Paul, amidst his travels, finds himself in Athens, the cradle of Western philosophy and a city teeming with idols. It is here in the Areopagus, a natural rock platform where Athenian leaders once deliberated over legal and moral matters, that Paul is invited to speak. His message resonates well until he proclaims the resurrection of Christ.
This proclamation leads to mixed reactions. Acts 17:32 captures the pivotal moment: “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’” Only a few were persuaded, and this experience profoundly influenced Paul, shaping his teachings in his subsequent letters, particularly to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, Paul reflects, “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
In these passages, Paul acknowledges the challenge of preaching a crucified and risen Messiah. To many, this message is either a scandal or sheer folly. Yet, to those who are called—regardless of their cultural or religious background—this message reveals the power and wisdom of God.
Fast forward to our modern era, and we find ourselves in a situation not unlike St. Paul’s in Athens. In a world that often values empirical evidence and logical reasoning, the message of Christ’s resurrection might seem outlandish or unbelievable. As Christians, when we share our faith, we too might encounter mockery or dismissal.
Yet, St. Paul’s experience in Athens teaches us an important lesson: perseverance in faith and the courage to speak the truth, regardless of the outcome. Like Paul, we are called to bear witness to Christ in a world that may not always understand or accept the message of the Gospel. The mixed reactions to Paul’s message remind us that our responsibility is not to convert, but to faithfully declare the truth of Christ. In doing so, we trust in God to open hearts and minds, just as He did for those few in Athens who believed. Christ is Risen!