“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
He will guide you to all truth.” (Jn 16: 12-13)
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead,
Some began to scoff …
And so Paul left them.
But some did join him and became believers.
Among them …
A woman named Damaris … (Acts 17: 32-34)
Who are you Damaris?
We find your name only once in Scripture buried within
Acts 17.
What led you to the Areopagus where Paul was preaching?
Did you just happen to be there on your way elsewhere?
Or did you go because you heard that a man of the “Unknown God” would be there?
Why did you stay and listen to Paul’s impassioned message?
Paul had much to tell the people of Athens; some could not bear it at that time.
Yet, the Spirit of truth came upon you
And you joined Paul
became a believer.
Who are you Damaris?
You are a believer.
Are you also a wife, mother, sister?
Who is your husband?
Did he also believe?
Who are your children?
Did they believe?
Who are your mother, father, sisters, brothers?
Did they also believe?
Who were your friends in Athens?
Did they believe?
Who are you, Damaris?
You are a believer in the risen Christ.
Did you leave all behind and join Paul in his travels to Corinth?
Did you know Priscilla, Lydia, Lois, or some the other women who joined Paul?
Or did you stay in Athens and form community with other believers of the Way?
Who supported you in your new belief in the risen Christ?
What can you tell us of the struggles you lived through?
How can you describe the joy of believing in one risen from the dead?
Damaris, a believer in the living Christ,
One day, you will share your story with us.
One day, we will share our story with you.
One day, we too will experience the fullness of joy.
One day, we too will experience the fullness of risen life in Christ.
Will you be there among the community of saints to greet us?
ALLELUIA!