Debbie Garret looks at the story of Lydia in Acts, and then Jesus teaching around love in John's Gospel. How does that help us when faced with the kinds of things happening in our world like in Ukraine. How are we to love each other, our neighbours, and our enemies.
Debbie writes, "Today’s reading from Acts 16: 9-15 features Lydia, a “God fearing” woman who was lived in Thyatira which was one of the Macedonian colonies. She was a wealthy businesswoman who dyed and sold high quality purple cloth. It’s not certain that she was of Jewish descent, but she worshipped according to the Jewish faith and each day she would go to the riverside where she met with other women for prayer and other Jewish dyers. It was there she met Paul and his companions. Although Lydia was not a Christian, she had a hunger for a deeper spiritual experience so listened intently to Paul’s teaching. The Lord opened her heart, and she and her household were baptised. Lydia was Paul’s first European convert. She continued with her business and much of her profit was used to aid the work of the gospel. She also offered hospitality to missionaries and cared for Paul and Silas when, bruised and battered, they were released from prison.
The Gospel reading from John 14: 23-31 focuses on love and obedience to God. It also speaks of the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things and reminds us of what Jesus has said. The gift Jesus gives is peace, the kind of peace the world can never give. “Called to follow him, we are to act in such a way that the ‘world’ will know that we love him.” (John for Everyone by Tom Wright)".