The Daily Office for September 22, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
Athens was no longer a city of great political or commercial influence but had remained the world’s most famous intellectual center of thinking. Even Roman students desired to go to Athens for their university training. It should be noted that Paul’s original strategy did not include the evangelizing of this city. But as he waited there for Silas and Timothy, he was greatly disturbed by the idolatry in which he saw the city engulfed. Again, he went to the synagogue daily to preach to the Jews and to the open marketplace to preach to the Gentiles.
Paul was invited to explain his message at the open forum on Mars Hill by the Epicureans and Stoics who were the leading schools of thought among the Greek philosophers. The former group had been founded by Epicurus in about 300 B.C. believing in the existence of gods but never their interference in the affairs of men. Their philosophy of life was one of pleasure and freedom from fear of death. “Eat, drink, and be merry,” was their motto. On the other hand, the Stoics founded by Zeno at approximately the same time believed in the brotherhood of all men and held to the high moral principles of a life of self-denial. To these men Paul certainly must have seemed to be a babbler, literally a “seed-picker.” But he declared to them that the one they called the Unknown God was the Creatorand Judge of the world. In essence, he was announcing to them that he knew the real God, who was unknown to them in spite of their extreme religiosity.
Collect for the Day
God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church in the burning fire of your love: grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that, always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.