Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 28 May ‘25
Sixth Week of Easter – Wednesday
Acts 17:15, 22–18:1. John 16:5–11
Paul in Athens
In today’s first reading, we hear Paul delivering a speech in the city of Athens—a setting both intellectually rich and spiritually vibrant.
What kind of people lived in Athens?
Acts 17:19–20 describes them this way:
“Then they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? It sounds rather strange to us, and we would like to know what it means.’”
Some even said:
“We will hear you again on this.” (cf. Acts 17:32)
Athens was the cradle of Greek philosophy—the city of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, the founding fathers of Western thought. So the people of Athens were: Highly learned, Receptive to new ideas, Deep listeners, Encouragers of good rhetoric, Eager to invite dialogue again, and Open to rational transformation.
Even before we turn to Paul, the people of Athens themselves offer us many lessons in openness, curiosity, and respectful listening.
What does Paul teach us today?
(a) Paul’s Intellectual Strength
Scholars suggest Paul likely knew Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Syriac, and Latin. He was well-versed in Jewish law, theology, and Greco-Roman philosophical traditions. This broad learning gave Paul self-respect and inner confidence.
Every bit of knowledge we gain today may serve a divine purpose tomorrow. Hence, we must learn to see every experience as part of God’s preparation.
(b) Paul’s Boldness
Paul stands alone before an entirely new audience in a foreign city, addressing them boldly. Such courage only comes from one who senses God’s abiding presence.
Don’t we experience the same when traveling by bus, attending weddings, entering a new job? We meet strangers, form relationships, take up new roles—and we thrive. Why? Because God is with us, whether we recognize it or not.
(c) Paul’s Pastoral Wisdom (Contextual Intelligence)
Paul demonstrates incredible pastoral tact and situational awareness. He doesn’t tremble before the unfamiliar crowd or setting. Instead, he starts from what he sees—an altar with the inscription “To an Unknown God.” He uses this as his launch point for proclaiming the Gospel.
What brilliance! What pastoral insight!
And the outcome? Paul captures their hearts and attention.
Even in a new city, before a new audience, doing new work, Paul remains rooted in his mission. For someone who knows his goal, grounding, and direction, every place, every person, and every task becomes equally sacred.
A Question for Us
How do we face new places, new people, and new responsibilities? Can we, like Paul, carry our mission, our courage, and our God-given identity into unfamiliar territories?
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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