Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
(Acts 16:11-15; John 15:26-16:4a)
The first reading begins
with one of the famous “we” references in the Acts of the Apostles. Biblical scholars cannot agree to whom the “we”
refers. Is it Paul and the writer of
Acts, known as “Luke”? Or perhaps “we”
was found on a page in some apostle’s diary and included in the work by the
author? Or maybe it is a literary device
meant to lend authenticity to the work? Not
as interesting, perhaps, but more important is the reference to Lydia.
Lydia is a Greek believer in Judaism. She accepted Jewish thought but not Jewish
eating habits. She too is waiting for
the Messiah when Paul tells her about Jesus.
She is convinced that Jesus is the one and invites Paul and whoever his
companion is into her home, probably to learn about him.
We too have much to learn about Jesus. We have the Scriptures and the testimonies of
thousands of learned and faithful disciples.
Perhaps also we can learn from personal experiences with faithful and
generous people such as Lydia.
