Today's reading shows us the apostolic spirit of St Paul in the heart of pagan society. In the Areopagus in Athens the Apostle preached the essential elements of the faith, attuned to the outlook and ignorance of his listeners but without omitting fundamental truths. He knew well that what he taught might sound very strange and unacceptable to the Athenians, but he did not adapt his teaching, watering it down to make it more 'understandable'. In fact, when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "we will hear you again about this".

This event reminds us Christians today that we must make known Christ's teaching, the one doctrine that can save; not necessarily the most popular one or the one that may be most 'successful' in human terms, or the one that suits the mood of the day or tones in with the tastes of the times. The Apostles preached the Gospel in its entirety, undiluted. So too we Christians should do today and everyday.