HOMILY OF 6TH WEDNESDAY IN EASTERTIDE — YEAR A

HOMILY OF 6TH WEDNESDAY IN EASTERTIDE — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: MANNER OF APPROACH

BY: Bishop Gerald M. Musa

Acts 17:15, 22—18:1; John 16:12–15

“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners,” says an anonymous writer. One of the major causes of interpersonal and group conflict is how we perceive, talk and treat other people whose beliefs are different from ours. Paul the Apostle demonstrated good manners, respect, and politeness toward the Athenians who worshipped many objects.

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He did not judge or condemn them for having a different belief. He respectfully said to them, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found an altar with this inscription, To an unknown god. What, therefore, you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you” (Acts of the Apostles 17:22–23).

Paul’s speech is a practical example of interreligious understanding and mutual respect. He resisted the temptation of talking down to the Athenians and was reasonable and kind in his choice of words. Certainly, God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Nevertheless, as preachers and evangelizers, we are called to be courteous in speech and respectful in bringing people to the knowledge of the truth. Conversion is not by compulsion but by persuasion and appeal. Do we respect or disrespect people whose method of worship and understanding of God is different from ours?

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