6th week of Easter / MONDAY / May 6, 2013 /
Acts 16:11-15; Psalm
145; John 15:26-16:4a
[__01--notes__] VERY ROUGH DRAFT… NOTES ONLY
·
1st
century A.D. and the 21st century A.d.
·
Lydia
is a dealer in purple cloth
·
Lydia’s
customers would have been royalty.
·
Lydia
is a “dealer” … a wholesaler? An economic force? Powerful?
[__02__] 21st century A.D. dealers/tailors
serve the rich and famous with cloth –
·
Versace
·
Dior
·
Ralph
Lauren
·
Donna
Karan DKNY
·
Others
?
[__03__]
Charitable activities
One would expect that
Versace, Dior, RL, DK DKNY would be involved in charitable activities.
Such charity is, at
least, good publicity, good for business, … good is the publicity gained from
feeding and clothing the poor.
Lydia – the Donna
Karan of northeastern Greece? Her act of charity – taking in Paul and Timothy
(cf. Acts 16:1)
This act of charity is
recorded – published in the Acts of the Apostles, Status update is positive for
Lydia, Inc.
[__04__]
What we are reading here, however, is not only about a business /change
in profit or a tax-deductible contribution.
Rather, we reading
about a change of heart, a reduction of Lydia’s wealth for spiritual gain.
Lydia has been
baptized and we are told … so are all the members of her household.
Recall that Lydia is
in charge … this household would include employees, servants.
They follow her
example.
Following Lydia’s example
is everyone in the “studio” or “factory.”
They also receive baptism /
Christian initiation.
The example [+] or [-]
of leaders is noticed ..and this will touch/influence the actions and
consciences of others.
Then, after Lydia
welcomes Paul and Timothy into her home, to stay..
The reason is because
of her baptism, her awareness …of being part of the Church, part of the Body of
Christ.
Lydia allows god to
work through her actions..wealth … talent, and in her organization.
You and I are also
changed miraculously when we allow God to work in and through us.. others will
notice.
No comments:
Post a Comment