The New Athenians

"When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said: we want to hear you again on this subject." (Acts, 17:32)

The contact that Paul had with the Athenians in Areopagus represents a very interesting lesson for the new disciple.

While the Apostle commented on his impressions of the well-known city, possibly foretelling the vanity of those present as he made references to the sanctuaries, and because of the subtle fire of reasoning, he was heard attentively. It is possible that the assembly would have acclaimed him with fervor, if his reference had remained philosophical as in the first expositions. Athens would revere him, as a wise man, presenting him to the world in the special mold of its other unforgettable names.

Paul however, makes references to the resurrection of the dead introducing the glorious continuation of life, beyond the trivialities of Earth. From that moment on, the audience started to feel uncomfortable and started to cast insults and mocked those beautiful, sincere words, departing and leaving him practically alone.

The teaching encompasses perfectly well on the continuing days of today. Numerous members of the group of workers for the Christ, in the diverse sectors of the modern culture, are attentively heard and respected for their authority in the subject matter that they specialized in; however, when they openly declare their belief in a life beyond the physical body, reiterating the law of responsibility far beyond the sepulcher, they immediately receive sarcastic mocking from these original admirers, leaving them alone, giving the impression of a true desert.

XAVIER, Francisco Cândido. Our Daily Bread. By the Spirit Emmanuel. Spititist Alliance for Books, 2003. Chapter 114.