Did you ever wonder to whom St. Paul wrote the following
inspiring words in his Letter to the Philippians?
“I am confident of this, that the one who began
a good work among you will bring it to completion by the
day of Jesus Christ” (1:6, NRSV). “Let the same mind be in
you that was in Christ Jesus” (2:5). “Whatever gains I had,
these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ” (3:7).
Lydia, a successful businesswoman, led the group that first
received the Letter to the Philippians. The words were
addressed to them.
Paul and Silas had initially met Lydia on the sabbath
outside the city gate of Philippi, by
the river. After the noise of town,
these tired preachers must have
sought a restful oasis.
The disciples needed a quiet place
for prayer and they found a group of
women hospitable to their message.
What began as a chance (or graced)
encounter led to a community Paul
described as “my brothers and sisters,
whom I love and long for, my
joy and crown” (Philippians 4:1).
They may remind us of the many
spirituality groups that gather today,
before work or during lunch hour.
Dressed in professional clothes, they
are tight on time but eager for meaning
and depth. They study the Bible
or contemporary authors such as
Richard Rohr, Joyce Rupp and Ronald Rolheiser.
Discussion is lively; with no time to waste, they cut to the
chase. There’s little tolerance for pious platitudes but there
is a genuine thirst for a more prayerful, compassionate,
Christ-centered way of life.
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 Thirsting for More
So too, Philippi was located on the Greco-Roman trade
routes and must have been a bustling place. Lydia was an
influential and successful merchant; she probably sold her
textiles to wealthy people.
But being “a dealer in purple cloth” wasn’t enough for
Lydia. She thirsted for more. The author of Acts records, “The
Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by
Paul” (16:14). Lydia must have liked what she heard. Did the
Christian message spill into her thirsty spirit like the waters
of the stream? We can only imagine why this bright, forthright
woman responded so quickly. But we know that she
and her household were baptized at once.
It’s heartening to know that Jesus speaks not just to the
marginalized, for whom he had a special fondness. He
appeals as well to the prestigious. The educated and probably
affluent magi came to his crib, as well as the poor,
bottom-of-the-social-heap shepherds. Jesus drew not only the
diseased and ostracized but also the prosperous.
After Lydia’s Baptism, Paul and Silas were jailed. Later freed
by a violent earthquake that loosened their chains, they went
to Lydia’s house. She must have welcomed these two men
with a radiant party, a fine meal, luxurious tablecloths and
good wine. Christians gathered to hear the remarkable story
of these disciples.
Lydia’s home continued to be a
gathering place for Christians, as
recalled in last July’s article “House
Churches in the New Testament.”
It’s easy to picture the word going
out on their grapevine: “New letter
from Paul!”
These early Christians would listen
eagerly as Lydia read aloud: “Finally,
beloved, whatever is true, whatever
is honorable, whatever is just, whatever
is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is
any excellence and if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about
these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Like us, the Philippians lived with
many distractions. In a trade center, it’s easy to get caught
up in negativity, greed or competition. Lydia helped the early
Christians keep their focus on what mattered. So Paul could
say of her and of them all: “in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation...you shine like stars” (Philippians 2:14).
Writing his famous letter, Paul might have pictured Lydia
the first day they met: eyes gleaming, interest kindled, dappled
light reflecting off the river onto her purple shawl.
Lydias live all around us: Beneath sleek coiffures and
designer suits are shrewd minds, hearts eager for truth and
spirits yearning to serve. God’s gracious welcome extends to
the MBAs as warmly as to preschoolers.
So when you see the purple vestments of Advent at the
end of this month, remember Lydia.
Next: Nicodemus
Kathy Coffey, mother of four, has won 13 awards from the Catholic Press Association.
She gives retreats and workshops internationally. Her newest books are
Women of Mercy (Orbis Press) and The Art of Faith (Twenty-Third Publications). |
