28/05/2025

In the ancient world of European/ Middle eastern pagans it was the Greeks who had attained the highest levels of wealth and power in the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and the Levant. The world that witnessed the Incarnation was one dominated by Greek culture although it had become the Roman Empire

The final pages of Old Testament history are the account of the struggle between Temple Religion, pure Judaism, and those who copied the Hellenes, even to the extent of disguising their own circumcisions.

It seems from the report in the Acts that Paul in addressing the Aeropogatus that he was preaching a monotheistic interpretation of the "Meaning of Life" that had been unheard in Athens before he had stood in front of them. 

There was a synagogue in Athens. Paul also preached there and in the Agora. It is very unlikely that the Jewish belief in an unseen all powerful deity was not known in Athens before Paul preached. 

The scornful disbelief of the "learned and clever" was directed at the "Resurrection".

The "Resurrection" is the event that is the conclusion of the Supreme Being's revelation of himself as Creator God, Trinity of persons. "IAMFATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT" is our loving Father who has made himself known throughout Millenia and given us during the Incarnation the exact path that we need to follow to become the perfect humans whom he will welcome into his mansions.

"Scornful disbelief" arising out of the same self-pride and power over  God's Creation, people and materials as the Councillors of Athens is as dominant in our world of today as it has ever been.

I have to ask myself what it was in the Palestine of the first Roman century that it required "so great a Saviour" and what it is about now that we have not been blotted from the face of the Earth.

Mary's answer as always provides the "Be it done to us according to thy will" with which we can recognise the greatness of Our Father and pray for his grace to be upon us.