Florida Council of Catholic Women/Province of Miami at P. O. Box 1811, Labelle, FL 33975 US - LYDIA
| LYDIA |
The term "worshiper of God" referred to a Gentile who attended Jewish services and believed Jewish teachings about God. Lydia, one of these, was a successful seller of purple (thought to be luxury items or purple dyed cloth). She was not a native of Philippi, nor born a Jewess, but, discontented with the superstitions of her heathen home, turned to the faith of Israel. When St. Paul, accompanied by Luke, set foot for the first time on European soil, he chose Philippi. According to his custom, he turned first to the Jews in Philippi who had their place of worship outside the town by the river Gangites. There, on the Sabbath, he gave his first Pauline sermon in Europe (Acts XVI, 13). Lydia was present and her heart was opened to the Lord and soon she and her household were baptized. She became the first Christian convert in Europe. The Christian community, which was gradually forming in Philippi, would naturally no longer gather at the Jewish place of worship, and therefore had to look about for a new place to assemble. Lydia said to Paul, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide there." (Acts XVI, 15) Her words of invitation breathed profound modesty and piety. Thus, Lydia's house became the first temporary church in Europe. Reflection: Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can. John Wesley Prayer: Dear Lord, teach me to be generous; To give and not to count the cost; To fight and not to heed the wounds; To work and ask for no reward; Save that of knowing I am doing Your will.