A Tale of Two Cities

The reading from Acts for this coming Sunday describes Paul’s foray into Europe for the first time. When he landed in Philippi, he was responding to a vision in which a man from Macedonia was pleading with him to come to and proclaim the Good News. On the Sabbath day, perhaps the first while he was in Philippi, he headed to the river where he expected to find people worshipping. Indeed, he did. He found Lydia, a wealthy woman--we know this because she was a “dealer in purple cloth” which was very expensive--among other women worshipping there.

Paul joined them and very quickly, Lydia, who was already a believer in Yahweh, became a convert to this new faith. She was baptized, and as was the custom of the day, since she was the head of the household, her entire household--family, servants, and slaves--were also baptized. Then she insisted in turning her home into Paul’s home base while he was in Philippi.

We know from reading Paul’s letters to the Philippians that his ministry there was successful. While he was there and afterwards, people heard the word and became believers. As you read these letters, you can see that Philippi’s community of believers held a special place in Paul’s heart. It may truly be called the “city that Paul loved.”

John’s Revelation describes another city: “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.” The scene unfolds to John is one of a city of peace, beauty, light, purity, no night to fear, and abundance. Given the events of the past several weeks that have been front and center in local and national news, this holy city is not where we seem to live. It would be easy to despair if all we had to look forward to was experiencing more of what we’ve experienced. But John makes it clear, evil and its power will be ended and there will be a day when God’s reign is with us. This vision of John’s will be the reality.

In the meanwhile, John the Evangelist, tells us of a word from Jesus before his passion and resurrection. In this preview of Pentecost, Jesus tells one of his followers he is sending the Holy Spirit. He goes on to say, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” This is one more time God gives us the command most often uttered in Scripture: Do not be afraid.

Feel that peace as you pray. Feel that peace as you offer and receive the peace passed on Sunday mornings. Feel that peace when your tongue touches the host and your lips touch the chalice. Feel that peace and obey: Do not be afraid.

Peace, Jerry