The service of the sisters

Wednesday January 18, 2023

The service of the sisters

I recommend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is deaconess of the Church of Cenchrea... she has given help to many and to myself... Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Jesus Christ.. Say hello to Mary, who has taken great pains for you. Romans 16:1-6

Sisters enjoy a place of honor in the New Testament.

It is to Mary, betrothed to Joseph, that the coming of the Lord is first revealed. It is she who gives birth to Jesus and raises him.

During his ministry, Jesus is financially supported by a group of dedicated women (Luke 8:1-3).

Mary of Bethany poured a perfume of great price on the head of the Lord. Apparently, she is the only one to have discerned his coming death and resurrection.

To Mary of Magdala, the first, the Lord appears after his resurrection. She receives a wonderful message to pass on to the eleven disciples : Go to my brothers, and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God (John 20:17).

These three Maries thus lived a blessed relationship with the Lord.

In Acts, Dorcas was full of good works and almsgiving, a service appreciated by the Lord who, through Peter, raised her to life.

Marie, mother of Jean-Marc had opened her house to receive the saints, particularly for prayer in common in a time of persecution.

Lydia in Philippi is the first person to accept the Lord. She receives the apostle Paul and his companions. His house becomes a missionary center. In the same city, Evodia and Syntyche fought with Paul in the Gospel (Philippians 4:3).

Let us think of Priscilla with her husband Aquilas. Together, they received Apollos to teach him more precisely the basics of the Christian faith. They had learned them from Paul while they were sewing tents with him. This couple had even risked their lives to save Paul ! They opened their house to the congregation. They were true companions in Paul's service.

We do not read that these sisters preached in public, but they had nonetheless been very active in the work of the Lord. Even today, there is much to do for the Lord. So, my sisters, what a joy to imitate the work of faith and the labor of love of those whose names have been preserved in the New Testament !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)