Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
May 6, 2024

Today’s Readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050624.cfm

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We spent some time in Philippi.
On the Sabbath, we went outside the city gate along the river
where we thought there would be a place of prayer.
We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
After she and her household had been baptized,
she offered us an invitation,
“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.
Acts 16: 12-15

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From the patriarchal revisionism of early Church history, the names of so few women trickle down to us! How I would love to have known Lydia, acknowledged Philippian leader who helped form the initial Church in this foundational Christian community.

When Lydia met Paul, she was already a “worshiper of God”. Her spiritually-ready heart received the revelation of Jesus and responded completely. Was it to her, likely Church leader, that the beautiful letter to the Philippians was later delivered? Was it she who further preached the Word and fostered this faith community? Was it she who led the Eucharistic gatherings and whose essential role, like those of many early women, is lost in the shadows of history?

How tremendously influential she must have been for her name to have made it even to this singular mention!

Today, in God’s Lavish Mercy:

We may want to pray with Lydia to better understand her vibrant faith and participation in the miraculous spread of our early faith. We may want to ask her guidance for our contemporary Church as we seek relevance and truth for our own time.

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Poetry: Lydia – Graham Kings

Who is this woman,
Slender in purple,
Approaching the river,
Head demure,
Hands across
Heart secure?

Who are these women,
Accompanying her,
Tumbling, cascading,
Following her gaze,
Slightly perplexed,
Subtly amazed?

Who is this man,
Bearded, intriguing,
Joining the women,
Gorgeous in vesture,
Gently announcing
Greeting in gesture?

By the river of Philippi,
They sat down and met
And sang the songs of Zion,
Outside the gate of the
Greek city, Roman colony.

Lydia, with friends and household,
Dealer in purple, in business astute,
From Thyatira in Asia Minor,
Gentile worshipping God of the Jews.

Paul, with friends, Silas and Luke,
Following a vision of Asia Minor,
Meets a woman of Macedonia,
The Good News comes to Europa.

With hearts open to the cross of Christ,
They pass through the river of baptism,
To enter the joy of the Kingdom.
Like trees planted by the waterside,
They bring forth their fruit in due season.

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Music: Water’s Edge – Michael Jones

Listen to this lovely music and join Paul and Lydia at the water’s edge in Philippi.