07-08-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 8, 2020
Scripture: Acts 16:14-15
A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

Thought for the Day: Lydia’s chapel was one of the highlights of my trip to Greece last summer, a beautiful sanctuary with floor to ceiling mosaics of the first baptisms officiated by Paul in Greece. Just a hundred yards away from the chapel is the river in which Lydia and her family were baptized. I invite you to watch this video (CLICK HERE), one that I recorded while standing in the river (very chilly waters). As you watch and listen, reflect on what it must have been like to hear Paul speak and to have your heart opened in such a way that a response had to be given.

Recently I heard someone say that we, as a society, have deceived ourselves into believing that a well worded social media post is a significant and risky act of faith. It might sound good, but we are living in a world that needs something a bit more dramatic and tangible – we need more folks like Lydia who not only chose to be baptized, but embodied her new found faith with an act of hospitality for a couple of sojourners who would soon be arrested for an act of faith. It is a bit more challenging right now to demonstrate that kind of outward compassion and kindness, but we must continue to seek tangible ways of responding to the Good News of God’s relentless and reconciling love.

Prayer: Merciful God, as your Good News continues to meet us as it did Lydia, may its power spark a response within us that resembles the depth and beauty of your love. We make this request as those who desire to be a bit more like the first followers of Jesus. Amen.

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