“In today’s reading, Saint Paul arrives in Athens, a city filled with temples, statues, and many beliefs. As he walked around, he noticed an altar with the words: “To an Unknown God.”

The people were religious, but they were still searching. Deep in their hearts, they knew something was missing.

And honestly, many people today are like that. Many are searching for happiness, peace, meaning, and love. Some search through money, success, popularity, relationships, or power. But after gaining many things, they still feel empty inside. Why?

Because the human heart was created for God. That is why Saint Paul tells them: “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Without God, life can become busy but empty. We may smile outside but remain restless inside.

Today, many people have more gadgets but less peace. More followers online but less real joy. More comfort but less inner rest. Truly, only God can satisfy the deepest hunger of the human heart.

What is beautiful about Saint Paul is this: he did not begin by condemning the people. He first listened, observed, and understood them. Then he gently introduced them to the God they were unknowingly searching for.

This is also our mission today.

Many people around us may not yet be close to the Church. Some may be struggling with faith. Instead of quickly judging them, perhaps we should first understand their pain, confusion, or longing.

Sometimes behind anger is woundedness. Behind pride is insecurity. Behind worldly success is hidden loneliness. People need not only correction. They also need compassion and witness.

At the end of the reading, some rejected Paul, some ignored him, but some believed.

The same happens today. Not everyone will immediately accept God. But our task is simply to continue witnessing through a life that is humble, truthful, peaceful, and loving.

And hopefully, through our example, others may discover that the God they are searching for is not far away.

He is Jesus Christ.”