Season 7, Episode 12:

Priscilla – The Teaching Witness

Welcome, truth-seekers, to our final, yet incredibly impactful, episode of Season 7 of the "Witness Series," I'm your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, and today, we conclude our journey through the lives of Old and New Testament women by meeting a dynamic and influential figure who, alongside her husband, was a pivotal partner in early Christian ministry.

In this twelfth and final episode of Season 7, we discuss Priscilla, "The Teaching Witness." Always mentioned alongside her husband Aquila, Priscilla was a formidable presence in the early church – a tentmaker, a teacher, a hospitable host, and a courageous co-worker in the Gospel. Her story is a powerful reminder that ministry is a partnership, that theological depth is for all believers, and that radical dedication can significantly advance God's Kingdom.

Priscilla’s life resonates with us today because it speaks to the power of shared mission, the importance of equipping fellow believers, and the courage to serve God wherever He leads. Her witness reminds us that true discipleship involves both learning and teaching, receiving and giving, and that our most significant impact often comes in collaboration with others.

Today, we’ll unpack Priscilla’s life, her powerful message as a teaching and ministry partner, and how her example can inspire our commitment to lifelong learning, collaborative service, and courageous devotion. Let’s get started.

Who was Priscilla?

Imagine a bustling city like Corinth or Ephesus in the first century. Paul, the great Apostle, arrives, and he’s looking for work. He finds lodging and a shared trade with a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who were also tentmakers. This couple had recently been forced to leave Rome due to Emperor Claudius’s decree expelling Jews.

Acts 18:2-3 introduces them: "There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them."

What’s remarkable is that Priscilla is often mentioned first, or sometimes exclusively, before her husband Aquila in the biblical accounts (like in Acts 18:18, 26; Romans 16:3). This unusual ordering in a patriarchal society suggests she was a woman of significant standing, possibly more prominent in ministry, or perhaps the more vocal and active of the two.

Their home became a hub for Christian gatherings and teaching. They traveled with Paul, and later, independently, supporting the nascent Christian communities. Paul even mentions that they "risked their lives" for him, suggesting incredible courage and loyalty. Romans 16:3-4 says: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them."

Lydia – The Open-Hearted Witness

Welcome back, truth-seekers, to another illuminating episode of the “Witness Series.”

I’m your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, and today, we embark on a journey into the early church, meeting a remarkable woman whose open heart led to a significant milestone in the spread of the Gospel.

In this eleventh episode of Season 7, we talk about Lydia, “The Open-Hearted Witness.” She was a successful businesswoman, a seeker of God, and the first recorded convert in Europe. Her story is a powerful reminder that God prepares hearts and that a welcoming spirit can open doors for the Gospel to flourish in new places.

Lydia’s life resonates with us today because it speaks to the importance of spiritual readiness and the profound impact of hospitality in advancing God’s kingdom. Her witness reminds us that when our hearts are open to God, He can use us not only to receive His truth but also to support His work and provide a spiritual home for others.

Today, we’ll unpack Lydia’s life, her powerful message as an open-hearted witness, and how her example can inspire our own receptivity to God’s Word and our willingness to serve His mission. Let’s get started.

Who was Lydia?

Imagine the Apostle Paul, guided by a vision, crossing into Macedonia, which marks the first entry of the Gospel into Europe. His journey brings him to Philippi, a Roman colony. On the Sabbath, Paul and his companions went outside the city gate to a riverside, a customary place of prayer where they expected to find Jewish worshipers.

There, among a group of women who had gathered, was Lydia. Acts chapter 16 introduces her in verse 14: “One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God.” This description tells us several important things about her. She was from Thyatira, a city renowned for its purple dye industry, suggesting that she was not only a skilled businesswoman but also likely a person of considerable means and independence, possibly a prosperous merchant. She was also a “worshiper of God,” indicating she was a Gentile who had embraced the God of Israel, a seeker of truth who was already oriented towards spiritual matters.

“Welcome to this holy moment.
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where the final step of our journey leads us to Emmanuel.”

“Today’s story begins on Christmas Eve…
with a candle glowing in a window.”

“In a quiet neighborhood,
a young couple placed a single candle
in their window on Christmas Eve —
a tradition from the wife’s family.
A neighbor asked,
‘What does the candle mean?’
She replied,
‘It means we are waiting.
And it means He is already here.’
That night,
a traveler walking past the house
saw the candle and felt comfort —
as though the small flame
whispered to him,
‘You are not alone.’
The light in a simple window
became Emmanuel for a stranger.”

“Emmanuel means ‘God with us’ —
not far,
not distant,
not watching from afar,
but WITH us.
With us in the mess.
With us in the waiting.
With us in the questions.
With us in the tears.
With us in the quiet victories.
God is with you
not because you reached Him,
but because He came all the way to you.
Christmas Eve is the moment
He stands at your door
and says,
‘I am here.’”

“So today ask:
‘Where do I need to feel God-with-me?’
Whisper:
‘Emmanuel, stay with me…
in every part of my life.’
This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
Maranatha… Come, Lord Jesus.”