Homily: Sixth Wednesday of Easter

Sixth Wednesday of Easter (Acts 17:15, 22-18:1) “From the Heart”

Paul traveled to Athens during his missionary journeys. Athens was a center of learning in the ancient world. Many notable philosophers had schools there. Philosophy was the main academic subject.

Paul tried to convert his audience. Almost all of them were Gentiles. They knew little about Jesus. They did believe in an afterlife so Paul could find common ground with them in that belief. They believed that every person had a soul as well as a body. Paul could Christianize that concept connecting it to what Jesus taught.

Paul later came to understand that he had made a mistake in Athens. He tried to have an intellectual argument with the Athenians. He tried to use logic and other academic arguments to convert them to Christianity. This did not seem to move his audience.

He came to see that his most fruitful arguments were based on his own story. He needed to share his story of conversion. He was a non-believer who had become a believer. Jesus had appeared to him after his resurrection. He had seen and talked to Jesus and been forgiven and healed.

When Paul went to Corinth, the next stop on his journey. He presented himself as a reformed sinner. Jesus had directly intervened so that Paul would be saved. This was what Paul shared. His story caused many of the Corinthians to believe in Jesus.

Paul was most effective as a missionary when he did not speak out of his head but spoke form his heart about his personal relationship with Jesus. Paul learned a valuable lesson at Corinth, a lesson he did not forget for the rest of his life.

Reflection Questions:

1.    What moves my heart? Does and intellectual argument or a personal story?

2.   Do I speak of religion in a heady way? Do I speak to others about Jesus from my heart?

 Dear Parishioners,   

            Tonight, we had our last OCIA session. The people who received the sacraments at Easter had their last official session on the part of the process called Mystagogy. These sessions concentrate on how a new Catholic might get involved in the parish.

The class is a very enthusiastic group. We hope that they will become active members of our community. We all live the Mystagogy throughout life if we are serious about following Jesus.

            We are now looking for seekers for next year as we try to keep making disciples. Contact our office if you know of someone interested in becoming Catholic.

            May Our Lady pray for our troubled world.

            Fr. Mark