My dear friends, the first reading today is very inspiring. It demonstrates the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the people after the resurrection of Christ that ensued the missionary activities of the disciples.
At the end of the first missionary journey and prior to the verses of the reading today, Paul had received a vision of invitation to come over to Macedonia and help (Acts 16:9). And that formed his second missionary activities with his colleagues. And in answering the call, the Spirit of the Lord led him to Philippi, a Roman colony, and the principal city of Macedonia where he had to preach to some devout women on a Sabbath who gathered at the riverside to pray and worship together, for there were no synagogues in Philippi. This was because according to Jewish tradition, there had to be at least ten men before a synagogue is formed. If the requirement is not met, the faithful had to meet elsewhere, probably in the open space for their prayers. And that is how the women worshippers gathered at the riverside where Paul and his colleagues met them on a Sabbath for prayers. The women welcomed Paul and his colleagues. And during their conversation and prayers, Paul preached and shared the word of God with them and the Holy Spirit inspired Lydia, one of the women, to yield to his words. She got convinced and deepened in her faith so much that she accepted baptism not only for herself but her entire household.
Lydia: A Wealthy Lover of God
Lydia, according to Luke, was a wealthy businesswoman. She traded in purple cloth of high quality because it was the colour of royalty at that time, worn mainly by the queens. Later the cloth became a trending one in the market as everyone wanted to purchase it ‘to belong’ as we see it in the entertainment industry today where an actress wears a certain brand of cloth, and everyone then goes for it. That is to say that the business of Lydia was very lucrative. She was not lazy at all, as she did not dwell only on prayer to make a living. It was even during her business travels that she was discerning to become a devout believer and worshipper of God before she encountered Paul and the other missionaries. Her trading status contrasts with those who would only like to spend most of their time in churches wating for miracles as a way of life. Lydia was up and doing. We must learn from her, as she balanced and managed well her economic and spiritual life properly. Lovers of God must not compromise this in their life. Both must go hand in hand. Hence, the scripture says: ‘if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Lydia was a hardworking businesswoman and a devout lover of God.
The Power of the Word of God
As Paul preached to the women, Lydia was moved and touched. However, it was not Paul’s preaching that touched her but the power of the Holy Spirit that caused her to pay attention to the word of God which increased her faith to fully accept Christ. Hence the Scripture says: ‘faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of God (Rom 10: 17). Thus, the Scripture supports the preaching and sending of Paul when it queries: How are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? (Rom 10: 14-15). In fact, the conversion of Lydia was one reason that justifies the sending of Paul to Macedonia to help. As he preached, God inspired him to speak what he desired him to speak which ‘opened the heart of Lydia to pay attention to what was said by Paul’ (Act 16: 14). There is no doubt that the power of the word of God immediately bore fruit in her life.
The Offer of Hospitality
When the Holy Spirit touched Lydia, she did not only open her heart to God but also, she opened her home to Paul and his colleagues. She offered them hospitality and was willing to share what she had with them. Lydia offered them her home not only for their prayers, emotional, physical, and mental rest, and relaxation but also for healing and other spiritual activities to others. And she was unwilling to accept a refusal as an answer to her request. As she received her baptism, she got immediately committed, bearing witness by converting her resources to the mission of Christ. This in fact is what is needed today in our time and age.
In conclusion, we must reflect and ask ourselves how we listen to the word of God even on Sundays in our churches. Or are we in the church to fulfil Sunday obligation? How do we accept the sacraments and propose them to others around us? Do we look after the missionaries and support the work of Christ? These questions and more are calling for answers as Jesus wants us to reflect over our relationship with him. He sets Lydia as an example today for us to follow in our journey of faith. May the Spirit of Christ touch us as He had touched Lydia. Amen.
Peace with you!
