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.”

“Welcome back, dear friend.
We are in Day 24 of Advent and you are on
Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
the grace of forgiveness.”

“This story takes place on a quiet street…
between two neighbors who had stopped speaking.”

“Two neighbors lived side by side for years —
sharing cups of tea,
garden tools,
and small conversations.
But one misunderstanding
led to silence.
Weeks passed.
Then months.
The bond that once felt easy
now felt impossible.

One cold morning,
the younger neighbor stepped outside
and saw a small welcome mat
placed in front of his door.
A simple note sat on top:
‘If you ever want to talk…
my door is open.’

He looked toward the other house.
There — in front of the older neighbor’s door —
was another welcome mat,
facing toward him.
Two doors.
Two invitations.
Two hearts
quietly stepping toward peace
without saying a word.”

“Forgiveness does not always begin with speeches.
Sometimes it begins
with a small mat,
a tiny gesture,
a silent sign that says,
‘I am willing.’

Advent is the season
when God places a welcome mat
outside our hearts
and whispers,
‘I’m here when you’re ready.’

Forgiveness doesn’t erase the past
but it frees the future.
It softens the hardened places,
unwraps old tensions,
and prepares your heart
for the Prince of Peace.

Healing begins
when one person
takes the first quiet step
toward the other.”

“So today, ask yourself:
‘Who do I need to place a welcome mat for?’

You don’t have to solve everything today.
Just open the door a little.
And whisper this Advent prayer:
‘Lord, give me courage to forgive…
and humility to make peace.’

This is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic.
May reconciliation find a home in you.”

“Welcome once more. We are in Day 23 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where we prepare room for Jesus in simple, human ways.”

“Today’s parable comes from a stable…
where a young boy gathered straw.”

“A village boy was asked to prepare the manger
for the Christmas night service.
He gathered handfuls of straw,
softening the hard wooden trough.
Each handful represented something:
one for kindness,
one for patience,
one for prayer,
one for forgiveness.
When he finished,
he stepped back
and whispered,
‘Now the Child will have a soft place to rest.’
He didn’t realize
he was softening his own heart.”

“Preparing for Christ
is not about grand gestures.
It is about small acts of love
that soften the manger of your heart.
Every prayer is a straw.
Every act of mercy
a fresh bundle.
Every moment of humility,
every decision to forgive,
every gentle word —
they prepare a place
where Jesus delights to rest.
Your heart is His Bethlehem.”

“So today ask:
‘What straw can I add to my manger?’
Whisper:
‘Lord Jesus, make my heart ready for You.’”

DAY 21 —“The Night Watchman”

“Welcome again. We are in Day 21 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where staying awake becomes an act of love.”

“Today’s parable takes us to a quiet neighborhood…
where a watchman kept vigil.”

“A night watchman walked his usual street route
while the town slept.
One night,
a stranger asked,
‘Doesn’t it get boring?
Nothing ever happens here.’
The watchman smiled,
‘That’s because I’m awake.’
The stranger paused —
his words carried weight.
‘When someone watches,’
the watchman continued,
‘danger passes by
because it knows someone is alert.’
His simple faithfulness
kept many families safe
without them ever realizing it.”

“Advent calls us to stay awake —
not with fear,
but with love.
To notice God’s quiet arrivals,
to be attentive to grace,
to keep our hearts open
instead of spiritually asleep.
Watchfulness is not paranoia.
It is readiness.
It is living each day
as if Christ is truly coming —
because He is.”

“So today ask:
‘Where is God asking me to be more awake?’
Whisper:
‘Lord, keep my heart alert to Your coming.’”

DAY 22 —“The Balloon on the Bridge”

“Welcome, dear friend. We are in Day 22 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where letting go becomes an act of trust.”

“Today’s story unfolds on a riverside bridge…
with a balloon floating into the sky.”

“A child stood on a bridge holding a red balloon.
A sudden gust of wind tugged it from her hand.
The balloon rose upward
as the girl reached out helplessly.
Her father knelt down and said,
‘Some things are meant to stay.
Some things are meant to fly.’
The girl watched the balloon disappear
into the bright morning sky —
and unexpectedly smiled.
It hurt to let go,
but it also felt
strangely free.”

“Surrender is not losing.
Surrender is releasing what weighs your soul
so God can give you something better.
We cling out of fear,
but Advent invites us
to open our hands.
Letting go is trust.
Letting go is obedience.
Letting go is saying to God,
‘You write the story.
I will follow.’
Your heart cannot receive
what God wants to give
until it releases
what is no longer yours.”

“So today ask:
‘What balloon am I still holding too tightly?’
Whisper:
‘Lord, help me let go.’”

Day 20- “

“Welcome. We are in Day 20 of Advent,
and this is Tiny Advent Parables with Fr. Dominic —
where God’s peace finds us even when life feels restless.”

“Today’s story comes from a lakeside morning…
where stillness taught a lesson.”

“A young woman struggling with anxiety
went for an early walk by a lake.
The wind was strong,
and the water was choppy —
waves splashing against the shore.
She whispered,
‘Lord, why is my heart like this water?’
An elderly fisherman nearby overheard
and said quietly,
‘Look at the middle of the lake.’
She squinted —
and to her surprise,
the center was perfectly still.
‘Storms can touch the surface,’ he said,
‘but deep waters stay calm.’
Her heart softened —
peace was not the absence of waves,
but the stillness God creates beneath them.”

“Advent peace is not perfect circumstances.
It is Christ resting at the center of your soul
even when life feels unsettled.
Let God calm your depths.
Let Him whisper stillness
below your worries.
True peace comes not from control,
but from surrendering the storm to Him.”

“So today ask:
‘Where do I need God’s deep peace?’
Whisper:
‘Lord, calm the waters within me.’”