From The Desk of Deacon Judy

Lydia of Thyatira

Our Forward Day by Day for May 21 notes Lydia of Thyatira as our saint to remember. This Sunday’s reading from Acts tells her biblical story (Acts 16:9-15).

Decades ago, on a pilgrimage following the footsteps of Paul, we traveled all the way to Macedonia in northern Greece where we had a service near Philippi by the river where Paul baptized Lydia and her household. We read the passage from Acts.

Lydia has always intrigued me. She was a successful Gentile woman. She was a spiritual seeker, a “God-fearer”, drawn to the monotheism of Judaism. She and other women were at this river on the Sabbath as it was a place for prayer. Scholars imagine that even though they were interested in Judaism, they may not have been welcome in a synagogue. She was curious about Paul’s witness of the redeeming, all-embracing, inclusive love of Jesus. Scripture says “she opened her heart to listen eagerly”. Lydia is known as Paul’s first European convert to Christianity.

As “dealer in purple cloth”, Lydia was an astute businesswoman, a wealthy merchant, whose clients could afford this rare purple-dyed fabric for their clothes. She was financially wealthy, but sought a deeper richness for her soul and for her life.

Lydia was a leader and an influencer in her community who led her household to be baptized. She welcomed Paul and the other missionaries into her home, showing profound hospitality and offering Paul a base in Philippi to continue spreading the Good News.

Lydia shared her gifts of business, stewardship, and hospitality to do her part to grow God’s kingdom in her time and place. May we be inspired to offer our gifts to build up God’s church in our world today.

Eastertide Blessings,

Judy Q+