Paul stood up in front of the city council and said, "I see that in every way you Athenians are very religious. For as I walked through your city and looked at the places where you worship, I found an altar on which was written, 'To an unknown god'. That which you worship, then, even though you do not know it, is what I now proclaim to you." (Acts 17:22-24, Good News)

These short verses from the Book of Acts give us a tiny glimpse into Paul's method of evangelism. Here he is brought before the city council in Athens because of the message he was proclaiming in the streets-a message about Jesus Christ. The verses before and after these tell how Paul spoke with people in the synagogues as well as in the public square. One gets the sense that Paul couldn’t help but speak about Jesus to any who would listen. His message of salvation was so important that he engaged anyone and everyone around him.

In our verses, Paul is before the city council. It is amazing to me how he connects with them. He has seen all of their altars and temples to a variety of gods. He has seen their devotion to worship. And he applauds them for it. He starts his conversation right where they are. He acknowledges their faith in "an unknown god" and uses that as a starting point for his witness to Jesus.

Today, we live in a culture not unlike that of the Athens in which Paul lived. Those around us worship many gods and are devoted to many things. We have so many opportunities to engage those around us in conversation about what is life-giving in the midst of such a society. We can witness to our faith in Jesus Christ with our words and our actions. We can meet people where they are and start with what they know as we reach out with God’s love.

I give thanks for those ancestors in the faith who dared to speak out in each and every circumstance in order to share the grace and love of Jesus. I pray that I can be as bold in my witness to those I meet. I pray that you may be as well.

Dear Jesus, give us courage to witness to you. May our lives proclaim your grace and mercy every day. Amen.

Contributed by Tracie
MondayJuly 23, 2012
Liturgical Year B: Week 35
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading
Lectionary 16 (Proper 11)
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost