Today’s lesson is from Homer, who, though perhaps not a philosopher, is yet philosophical in his portrayal of human existence. From Homer’s writing, we might define the human person as the being who lives out a call, or destiny, coming from the divine realm and requiring a response. A person may live with an ear deaf to the call, but this is never good, for either the individual or her society. In Homer’s Iliad (Bk I, IX), the Greek hero of the Trojan war is Achilles, demigod of a human father and goddess mother. His mother makes known to him the gods’ knowledge that, if he kills the Trojan hero Hector, he will win imperishable fame—but will himself be killed in the battle. The news paralyzes Achilles. He is an incomparable warrior destined for victory, but he wants to bask in his glory over a full lifetime. A possible escape from the dilemma presents itself when Agamemnon, the king for whom Achilles fights, insult him grievously. Achilles justly refuses to fight on, but even when the king makes a public apology with unprecedented compensation, he will not relent. Under the pretense of an unforgivable insult, Achilles wants to cheat his destiny. The attempt rings true today, even if the Homeric “gods” do not. We ourselves, on occasion, use spurious reasons to avoid doing what we ought. Homer’s story can help us sharpen our awareness of the divine call within that daily urges us to face life’s challenges honestly and always do what we ought.