Scholars tell us that women formed the core of the first believers and were instrumental in providing support for the growing Christian community. Lydia was one of them-she was a prayerful and God-fearing woman who embraced Paul's message with joy. Her request to be included in the Lord's work is accompanied by a haunting proviso: 'If you judge me to be a true believer in the Lord'. Often the contributions of women to the Church have not been sufficiently appreciated and recognized and equality is still only a goal on the horizon. Let us pray in thanksgiving for the presence and the work of the women of our Church and ask the Lord to make women and men true partners in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.

Jesus warns His followers that they will experience persecution and that some will even believe that they are doing God a favour by killing them. Indeed, this has been a problem of all religions throughout history, even our own. Killing or persecuting others is never pleasing to God, and neither is religious bigotry and strife. In our own time, so filled with religious tension, let us truly do the Lord a favour by working for harmony, tolerance, understanding, and love. Listening to those of different views with openness of heart and without the need to 'be right' or 'win', will go a long way in serving the Kingdom of God.