Some of them burst out laughing.

Paul, you stood up before the whole Council in Athens. You boldly witnessed to your faith in God and in the resurrection of Jesus. You must have suspected that, in their sophistication, they would laugh more or less politely at you.

We too are called to have Christ so central in our lives that we are prepared to witness to him before others. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is present not only in our worship and prayer but in all that we do.

Lord Jesus, I pray that you may send your Spirit of truth to guide me, so that, like Paul, if and when the occasion calls for it, I may have the courage to stand up for my faith in you. Apart from that, I pray that I may witness quietly to that faith in my daily life.