| Host | I think it’s about time we started dear. |
| Hostess | OK, but where has Matthew gone? I don’t think we should start without him. |
| Host | Yes, well let’s wait just another minute. |
| [A minute passes] |
| Honey, I really think we should start. |
| Hostess | Yes, alright. |
| [Stands and calls for attention] This evening we’re hoping to see and hear what going to church was like for Christians living in the generation after Jesus. We’ll be visiting a church which meets in the home of Aquila and Priscilla in Rome sometime during the first century. Aquila and Priscilla were an actual husband and wife team who are known to have led churches like we will see tonight. The activities, liturgy and approach of this gathering are based on historical records of how the early Christian churches were run. |
| As we eavesdrop on this first-century church gathering we will hear some things which are familiar — things which we might still see in our culture and in our modern churches — but we will also hear some things which are quite different. Although some of the issues (such as slavery) may not be directly relevant to us now, it may be that we can learn something from the way the early followers of Jesus dealt with those issues. Perhaps these similarities and differences will give us a clearer picture of why the early Christians were so deeply affected by their experience of Jesus. We hope that everyone will enjoy the evening and perhaps see Christianity in a new light. |
| [A man dressed in a loosely “Roman” way knocks on the door and is brought in by the hostess.] |
| Matthew!! We’ve been wondering where you were!! |
| Publius | Oh no, my name is Publius — Publius Valerius Amicus Rufus if you want to be exact. [The hostess sits down again, but Publius remains standing and addresses the whole group.] I come from Philippi, a comparatively new colony in Macedonia, [Perhaps indicates Macedonia on the wall map] one I am proud to say that is Roman through and through even though it stands on Macedonian soil. At present I’m staying for a while with some old acquaintances of mine, Euodia and her husband Clement, here in Rome [Indicate on map]. Just yesterday we all went out to dinner at a home nearby, and it was such a strange experience that I want to tell you what happened. My friends have a standing invitation from a Jewish couple called Aquila and Priscilla to join with them every seventh day for a meal. This includes visitors as well, so I didn’t need a special invitation to attend. |
| As we walked to Aquila and Priscilla’s I realised how big the city of Rome has become. There must be well over a million people here now and it’s growing all the time. I doubt if there’s a foreign country anywhere in the world that isn’t represented here by a sizable ethnic community. The Jews alone are said to number fifty thousand. It’s been good for the economy, I suppose, because many of them have brought in skills which were in short supply among the local residents. The food has improved too; there’s so much more variety these days. But from a cultural point of view it’s all a bit of a shambles. I prefer the way it used to be in earlier times. The good old days really were the best. |
| But look, if I just narrate the whole experience you’ll all fall asleep very quickly, so a few other people are going to help act out my memory of the events. At times, I’ll simply narrate what happened but at other times some other people are going to liven up my narration by acting along with me. So that you aren’t confused about whether I am narrating or acting, I’ve brought along this enuine ancient Roman wreath [or whatever piece of costume seems appropriate] — when I’m recounting to you my own viewpoint I’ll keep the wreath off, but when I’m part of the action I’ll put it on, like this [puts on wreath, takes it off again]. OK? Now back to the story … |
| As we walked along, I asked Euodia to let me know what to expect. Well, she didn’t help me out all that much, but she did say a few things about Aquila, our host. [Puts wreath on] |
| Euodia | [One of the guests puts on costumery, stands and assumes the role] He’s Jewish, but I don’t suppose that will bother you. |
| Publius | No, we Romans are a fairly tolerant lot. I’ve got on well with the Jewish race, though I must say that I’ve never been to a meal in one of their homes. They don’t seem to entertain foreigners much. Something to do with their religious principles, I gather. |
| Euodia | I think you’ll find that Aquila is an unconventional Jew in many ways, far more liberal in his views. |
| Publius | Is that because he’s knocked about a bit in different parts of the Empire? |
| Euodia | Not really, though that might have something to do with it. More because he’s adopted a new way of looking at the world which affects his outlook on such things. [Freezes during Publius’ aside] |
| Publius | [Wreath off] Well, then it had all come out! How Euodia and her husband Clement had first become interested in this “new way of looking at things” in Corinth, through Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila and Priscilla apparently were leaders in a new religious movement. They’d set up some kind of church in Corinth and Ephesus [Indicate on map] and had now started regular meetings in their home here in Rome. |
| [Wreath on] I’ve heard of those sorts of private religious societies and philosophical dinners. In fact there seems be more a lot of those secretive, emotionally-charged Eastern cults lately. I’ve always tried to avoid them. |
| Euodia | I’m sure you’ll find this different than what you expect. And don’t worry, I’m sure you won’t feel out of place. |
| Publius | Well, I’ll take your word for it. You and Clement are fairly level-headed types and I’m sure you wouldn’t get mixed up in anything too out of the way. Mind you, being Greeks, you haven’t got the advantage of a good Roman grounding in religious and civic traditions. [Laughs] But then I wouldn’t expect a Jew like Aquila, however atypical, to get involved in that sort of thing, what with his race’s over-refined moral scruples and stubborn addiction to a single god. |
| [Wreath off] So there I was, a little nervous but curious all the same. |
| As we came up to the house, we could see that the apartment had been split in two so that the front section could be used as a shop. The shopfront was closed but there was a small porch next to this which we entered off the street. A few steps inside it we came to the open door of the apartment. On it there was small sign with Aquila’s name and trade — tent-maker. Since there was no-one about, Euodia rapped on the door a few times to attract attention. |
| [Wreath on. Pause] Do you think we’re early? |
| Euodia | I don’t think so. We’re probably just the first here. |
| Aquila | [Puts on costume and stands] Welcome, welcome, welcome. [Clasps hands with Publius, and then turns to Euodia] God’s favour and peace be with you. |
| Euodia | And with you Aquila. It’s good to be here again. [They embrace and exchange a kiss] |
| Publius | [Wreath off] Now this was most irregular. Much more affectionate than is customary. You’d think they were brother and sister or something. |
| [Wreath on] |
| Priscilla | [Enters] |
| Aquila | And let me introduce my wife Priscilla. |
| Priscilla | We’re delighted you’ve come, Publius. Clement and Euodia told us you might. [Shakes hands with Publius and then warmly greets Euodia] |
| [Priscilla, Euodia and Aquila sit] |
| Publius | [Wreath off] Then, after depositing our cloaks with them, we took off our sandals and put on the slippers they provided. We handed over a bunch of flowers and a contribution to the meal which Euodia had prepared for us to bring. |
| We then fell to talking, Aquila drawing me out in quite fluent Greek about the itinerary of my recent trip, the weather on the sea-crossing from Achaia and the length of my stay in the city. As a young man he’d apparently lived in Rome and established his tent business. But when the Emporer Claudius expelled all the Jews from Rome, Aquila and Priscilla had settled in Corinth. [Indicate on map] Some time later, when the heat had died down in Rome, they decided to come back here and pick up where they’d left off. I’d gathered from Euodia that Aquila and Priscilla had quite a reputation for hospitality, putting up visitors for months at a time on occasions. |
| It was pleasantly cool inside, refreshingly so after the mid-afternoon heat outdoors. It was also blissfully quiet in comparison with the chaos we had encountered on the streets outside. |
| For a while I was drawn into conversation with a family which had entered just after us with their young children. This went on for quite some time until two more guests arrived [Aristobulus and Lysias put on their costume and stand] — a rather distinguished looking gentleman in an expensive-looking light robe and a male companion in a simple tunic who could well have been his slave. [Aquila and Priscilla stand and greet them in silence] Despite the obvious difference in rank between them, I was surprised, and a little shocked, at the lack of discrimination shown by Aquila and his wife in greeting them. |
| [Wreath on] |
| Aquila | Publius, let me introduce you to Aristobulus. He’s quite a high-flyer in the public service. [Publius and Aristobulus shake hands. There is some general chatter among the actors for a few moments and then Aquila claps his hands for attention] There’s just been word from the other guests that they are on the way, so we might as well move into the dining room in readiness for the meal. |
| Publius | Is this when the service starts? |
| Euodia | [Stays seated. Looks at Publius quizzically, and then smiles] It really began the moment we came into the house. |
| Publius | [Wreath off] What I was meant to make of that I don’t know! |
| Aristobulus and Lysias | [Bring in a couple of low tables to signify the change of scene to the dining room] |
| Publius | The dining room ran off the main hall in which we’d been standing, and was of quite generous proportions. As we entered, Priscilla directed us to our places. |
| Priscilla | Would you sit here Publius? |
| Publius | [Wreath on] Here? |
| Priscilla | Yes. |
| Publius | [Sits. Wreath off] I thought she must have been mistaken, for this was the place normally reserved for the most important guest. |
|  |
| Publius | Aristobulus, who by rights should have had my place, was seated to Euodia’s left, along with his slave no less, on the couch for less important guests. I looked to see how he would take this double breach of etiquette, but he didn’t seem to mind. If he did, he certainly kept his indignation well-hidden. At some of the meals I’ve been to, this would have been cause enough for him to walk out altogether. |
| Hostess and Lysias | [Inconspicuously leave the room for the kitchen.] |
| Publius | Some of the late guests now arrived. A Jewish weaver, his wife and two attractive daughters, greeted by one and all, joined the people at the other table. A few steps behind them were two former slaves, and they filled up the remaining spaces at our table. All these placed their gifts on the tables before them alongside the others that our hostess had previously laid there. One of these freedmen, Gaius, was in the employ of a prestigious Roman family as a tutor to their children. He had actually been born in the household and, as so often happens these days, was later freed in recognition of his faithful service. At his ex-owner’s request, though also at his own wishes, he’d stayed on in his previous job. Hermas, the other freedman, had been turned out by his former master and left to fend for himself. Since he had been unable to find work for months, it was only by relying on the government dole and the assistance of this little group that he had been able to survive. |
| Aquila | Well, the tenth hour is almost half gone, so I think we should begin the meal. It looks as if Felix has been kept back by his master again, so there’s no telling when he’ll arrive. |
| Hostess and Lysias | [Return with scones and place these in front of Aquila] |
| Aquila | Would you make sure, Lysias, that some food is left for Felix? Otherwise he’ll probably miss out on a meal altogether. We all know what his master’s like. |
| Lysias | [Nods] |
| Aquila | [Picks up the scones] Let’s give thanks. |
| Publius | This was going to be some sort of offering to their god, I assumed. We Romans always reserve part of the food and drink for our household deities and, after the main course, offer it to them for their acceptance. I’ve heard that Jews did things differently, the start of the meal being signaled by the breaking of the loaf and some sort of prayer. What happened now was more like this — instead of offering part of the food to the god, Aquila reminded the people present that their god had offered something for them instead. |
| Aquila | Just before he sacrificed himself for us, Jesus took part in a meal with his followers just like the one we’re having now. During this meal he shared round bread and told them that it represented him. Just as they needed bread in order to live physically, so, even more, they needed him if they were to experience real life. And so do we. This is why he wants us to continue having meals together and this is why we are meeting together today. |
| Publius | Just how a dead person was going to do all this wasn’t at all clear to me. But then Aquila went on to say that after this person was executed, he’d actually come to life again. I could hardly believe my ears, I can tell you, but that’s exactly what he said! He’d gone to his father after death and this put him in a position where he could share his life with anyone who followed him, wherever they were and no matter how many there were of them. A bit of him living in each of them, so to speak, or at least that’s how I understood it. |
| Aquila | Although Jesus isn’t physically with us in the room, he is nevertheless really present among us. As we eat the meal together, beginning with this bread we’ll experience him directly within ourselves, as well as through our fellowship with one another as we eat. [Breaks scones into pieces] |
| Publius | He concluded all this with a brief prayer, if you could call it that. For it was made up on the spot so far as I could tell, and spoken in quite a normal voice. |
| Aquila | [This bit should be memorised, or a similar prayer made up spontaneously] Jesus, we are so grateful for all that you’ve done for us. You’ve provided us with all the things we need — friends and family, food and shelter. You gave up your own life so that we might live. Thankyou. We look forward to this meal which in a way represents all that you have done for us. |
| Others | Amen! Yes! Indeed! etc |
| Publius | Well, this wasn’t quite what I’d bargained for, I can tell you. Neither decently ritualistic nor exotically mysterious. All very simple and matter-of-fact really. I wondered what their god thought of this slipshod and common way of doing things. It seemed to treat him rather casually. Not at all in the manner to which I would have thought a god was accustomed! |
| [Pause] |
| Aquila | How are you managing, Mary, in this hot weather we’ve been having? It’s certainly unusual this early in the year. |
| Euodia | [Aside, to Publius] She’s only recently come down to Rome from the hill-country in the far north, the original home of the entire family. Despite her fifty years, she’s coped with the change well enough, but she suffers from some sort of back trouble and it wasn’t helped by the journey on the donkey cart. |
| Mary | Very much better, thank you Aquila, especially since last week when you all prayed for me and I saw a chiropractor during the week who was quite helpful. |
| Aristobulus | A chiropractor! Good heavens, whatever for? My doctor strictly forbids me to see one of those! |
| | [In the original booklet, the sick person (who is not even Mary) has a skin disease, but our “Mary” actually had a long-standing back complaint and we thought it more appropriate to refer to this real situation. What’s more, one of the audience was a chiropractor, so we could instigate a real discussion about Christian attitudes to alternate medicine.] |
| Aquila | Perhaps we could keep talking about that over some tea. |
| [Tea, coffee and jam is served with the scones. As everyone eats and drinks, the actors promote a lively, even heated, discussion over the relationship between professional medical help and community prayer for healing. The ‘audience’ is encouraged to join in. This blends into an Intermission and people can naturally turn to other topics of discussion until Publius recalls everyone’s attention.] |
| Publius | [Somehow calls for attention] I want you to know that these scones and tea are meagre compared to what was served up for supper at Aquila and Priscilla’s. In fact, I could scarcely believe my good fortune. I’d been hoping for a little meat, so rarely had I eaten any lately. It’s almost always in short supply and horribly expensive at the best of times. But here was a large plate of minced meats for each table, and another with assorted vegetables. They must have been saving up all week for this, I thought. |
| To my embarrassment, I was again served first. I took a little fish, turnips and beans, and then topped the lot off with a delicious smelling brine sauce. Across from me I was surprised to see Aristobulus place food on his servant’s plate. Not only place it there, but exactly the same kind and amount as he had on his own plate. I’ve grown used to seeing even freedmen given inferior food and wine, and even different tableware than the more distinguished guests. But slaves generally ate outside the dining room. Now and again you hear of an owner who pursues a more liberal policy but it’s still a rarity. |
| Aristobulus | At some time tonight I wonder if there’s time for Lysias to mention a problem he has? |
| Aquila | Certainly. Why not now, if you’d like Lysias? |
| | [If we had two more actors, we may have included the following section as well…] |
| Publius | Lysias was just about to start speaking when there was the sound of sandals in the outer hall, a shuffle while they were taken off and exchanged for slippers, and then a young man — bearded rather than clean-shaven like most of us — appeared in the doorway. |
| Aquila | [Stands] Welcome Felix. Come in and join us. |
| Felix | [Apologetic] My master sent me off on a wild goose chase across town and it’s taken up the entire afternoon.” |
| Aquila | Of course, of course. We apologise for starting without you, but the evening was drawing on. |
| Felix | [Hesitating at the door] Excuse me, Aquila, but would there be room for someone else at dinner as well? |
| | [Beckons to an even younger man, who steps gingerly forward] This is Tyro, a friend of mine whom you’ve heard me talk of before. I’ve spoken to him many times about the Lord. But last night when he was talking with Andronicus (that preacher who’s in town at the moment), he suddenly knew that what he’s so often heard was really true. He was baptised straight away in the Tiber. |
| Publius | [Aside] Baptised in the Tiber! I shuddered at the thought — just think of its contents! |
| Felix | He came around straight after work to tell me what had happened. I felt sure you wouldn’t mind if I brought him along. |
| Aquila | [Goes across to Tyro and embraces him] You’re more than welcome here, more than welcome. We’ll make up an extra place for you over there. It’ll be a bit of a squeeze, but that’s nothing, is it? |
| | We’ll let you get on with your meal. Plenty of time for questions afterwards. |
| | Now Lysias, go ahead with what you were going to say. |
| Lysias | Well it’s a bit awkward really, because it involves Aristobulus as well. But he’s encouraged me to tell you about it. The problem is that Aristobulus wants to set me free. I’m genuinely grateful to him for his offer, but somehow I don’t feel it’s right. You see I’m convinced that God has called me to serve him and I think I can do that best the way things stand now. But he feels it would be better if I were free and sees no reason why that should affect things at all. |
| Aristobulus | Yes, you see since I’ve joined this church its become so clear that we shouldn’t think of one person as any greater or lesser than another. Lysias is just as much a follower of Jesus as I am, so how can I keep treating him like a slave? |
| Publius | Then, through various questions put to him and Lysias, the matter was explored further. In fact a discussion opened up on the question of freedom versus slavery generally and the two freedmen had a good deal to say about the respective advantages and disadvantages involved. Clearly it was no simple matter. While there could be certain personal and social advantages in becoming a freedman, frequently there were real material losses involved. Too many masters these days — Hermas’ was one of them — freed their slaves in order to rid themselves of all responsibility for them. Others made it a condition of their freedom that they continue to serve in the same post as before, but without the provision of housing or food that had previously gone with it. The hovels some freedmen had to live in were a disgrace, the wages inadequate and their whole former family life disrupted. Some were even worse off than day labourers who at least could seek work where they wanted. |
| Gradually the discussion came back to the problem at issue. There were voices raised on both sides and for some time the conversation went round and round in circles. |
| Priscilla | Didn’t our friend Paul have something to say about this? |
| Aquila | That’s right Priscilla. It was in one of his letters to our old church at Corinth. [Thinks for a moment.] In the first one, I think, in the section where he talks about marriage and the single life. You’ll find it in the chest in the bedroom with our other papers if you don’t mind fetching it. |
| Priscilla | [Leaves] |
| Aquila | [To Publius] Paul is an old friend of ours who has started churches like this one all around the Empire. He’s presently under house-arrest somewhere here in Rome, awaiting trial on some trumped-up charge that were leveled at him in Judaea. Paul has a special kind of wisdom in matters affecting our groups, and we often find it helpful to consult him personally about such things or go over what he has written. |
| Priscilla | [Returns with a scroll, which she gives to Aquila] |
| Aquila | [Aquila browses through the scroll until he finds the right place] Paul writes here that we should all be content with our present state and not seek to change it. Those who are slaves should see it as an opportunity for serving others, for that’s the basic responsibility we all have, whatever our station in life. Yet when the opportunity to become free arises, as it generally does, then we should not hesitate to become freedmen. For if anyone approaches this new situation rightly, he will actually find new ways in which to help others. Masters should remember that they are really slaves themselves, to Christ, and slaves, remember that you are really free in the area that matters most. |
| [Pause] |
| Publius | This advice certainly turned the discussion in a more profitable direction and even gave me something to think about myself. Talk now revolved around the principle on which this Paul’s judgement had been based. In what ways could Lysias’ freedom enable him to serve Aristobulus more satisfactorily, or were there special circumstances associated with his case that meant it was an exception to this rule. |
| Lysias | That really helps me. I think I’m coming around to agreeing with Aristobulus. But there’s still things I need to think about. |
| Publius | There was a pause in conversation and as I reflected on what I’d seen so far, I was amazed at how much involvement there was by all the people in this group and how much concern they showed for each other. Yet I couldn’t help feeling that from a religious point of view the whole meeting left a lot to be desired. Perhaps there was more of a genuinely religious kind still to come but as far as I could tell, what had happened so far had contained scarcely anything religious at all. Why, they didn’t even have a priest, let alone the ritual trappings that you expect. |
| Aristobulus | [Interrupts Publius’ musing] Well Publius, how are you enjoying things so far? |
| Publius | Oh! [Wreath on, caught by surprise] Its all very good, very different, er, yes, very good. But tell me, how did a Roman like you come to be involved in this group? |
| Aristobulus | Do you know, I’ve actually had doubts about the power of our traditional religion for some time. There’s something about all our gods which doesn’t sit straight and I was much more attracted to Jewish morals and their view that there is just one God. So one day I slipped into a synagogue and found that it really was a genuine alternative to what I’d grown up with. The problem though is that the Jews have such strict dietary rules and that horrid practice of circumcision which puts me right off. |
| Publius | [Under his breath] It certainly puts something right off! |
| Aristobulus | On top of that, my wife was very disapproving and she wouldn’t mention it to anyone for fear of losing our social standing. So I kept quiet about it. |
| But when I met Aquila and Priscilla, so much seemed to fall in place. Here was all the attractive things about Judaism without the arbitrary regulations and legalism. It all made good sense, so I joined up. I still haven’t convinced my wife though. |
| Lysias | [Crosses to Aquila’s table and fills a pottery goblet with wine] |
| Aquila | [Picks up the goblet] The wine that we’ve been drinking has been part of our meal and a help to our fellowship in the Lord. But it means more than this. For, as Jesus explained, it reminds us that he is the one who has created this bond through his death. It also stands as a promise to us of the fellowship we shall have one day with him when we sit down at his table and dine with him face to face. So as we drink this cup together, let us take these things to heart and be grateful for them, looking back with appreciation on the one and looking forward with anticipation to the other. And may our meetings express that one-ness that we have with him more and more so that they are, as it were, a little taste of heaven on earth. |
| Publius | [Wreath off] In this spirit we all drank. |
| Since the meal was now virtually at an end, various guests were showing their appreciation of it with some hearty belches. Not wishing to be impolite, I naturally did the same. Priscilla and Aquila looked suitably pleased at this expression of our enjoyment and acknowledged it with a slight nod. |
| As the children and slaves cleared away, the guests got up to stretch their legs. Darkness had almost settled in so Priscilla positioned some candles around the room and lit them. |
| Priscilla | [Lights a couple of candles or lamps] |
| Publius | When everyone had seated themselves again, Aquila bowed his head slightly and asked the spirit of his god to guide what that now took place. As before, he did this quite simply and matter-of-factly. |
| Aquila | Father, we know that you are with us always, but we ask especially for your presence now. Guide our thoughts as we pray, our mouths as we sing and our hearts as we listen to you. Amen. |
| Now, why don’t we sing a song? |
| Mary | What about “Thankyou Lord for this fine day”? |
| All | [There is general approval and so they sing a lively song with simple words of thanks. Even Publius joins in after a while, but is embarassed when the other ntoice.] |
| Aquila | Lets all offer our prayers of thanks to God. Even those of you in the audience can feel free to join in. [This section should probably be a bit more organised in an evangelistic setting, without the invitation for all to join in.] |
| Euodia | [First to pray] |
| All | [Various spontaneous prayers of thanks] |
| Aquila | [Final prayer] |
| All | Amen etc |
| Publius | And so it seemed that Aquila was not the only one who prayed in this informal and presumptuous way. Many of the group started these little conversations with the god, even the women and children! Some were quite long-winded, others spoke just a few words. |
| [If Felix and Tyro have been scripted in earlier, then the following should be acted rather than narrated.] A very hesitant sentence or two also came from one of the guests who had recently converted to this new religion. He thanked the god that he now understood how much he had done for him, in particular the gift of his one and only son. At the end of this, the heads of each family present, and one or two of the others, went across the room and placed their hands on him, welcoming him into their community and pledging him their future support. He was actually moved to tears by this and could scarcely express his gratitude to them. Despite the strangeness of the occasion, I must admit to being a little moved myself. As they resumed their places Hermas said there was a psalm out of the sacred writings which he felt was particularly appropriate to the occasion. He must have had a good memory for this kind of thing, for the recitation lasted some minutes. |
| Then everyone settled back as Aquila began to speak. |
| Aquila | As I look round at the people here it’s amazing to think how many talents we have amongst us. What a reflection of the generosity of our Father! Let’s think for a moment about the gifts God has given us. Don’t think about what God may have given to somebody somewhere, but think of each other here now and the gifts we can see in each other. |
| Some of God’s gifts help us to know what to say to each other or what to do for each other. Some give us greater understanding of God himself, or understanding of each other, or understanding of the events around us. Some gifts are to help us with our own personal problems or to weld us together into a harmonious family. Some gifts allow us to help another financially. Another gift allows us to bring physical healing or to meet other physical needs. God has made some of us especially good at praying and others especially good at explaining things to others. |
| All of these gifts are meant to be shared, not selfishly hoarded. Together, they provide the resources for growth — for each of us individually and for us all as a group. That’s why it is so important for each of us to discover what abilities God has given and to learn how those abilities can be put to good use. |
| Above all, we must desire to exercise the most important gift of all — that of speaking God’s word helpfully and relevantly to one another. And we should also seek to exhibit the most important quality there is — that of genuine loving care of one another. |
| Our whole welfare, both as individuals and as a church depends on it. |
| [Pause] |
| Mary | As I was sitting here, thinking about what Aquila said, I knew God wished me to say something, firstly to all of us, and then to one particular person. God wants us to know that he will present us with even more gifts and make the ones we already have even more helpful. This won’t happen if we concentrate on seeking the gifts themselves, but simply as we concentrate on serving on another. If we look, we will also find uses for our gifts outside the church, among those we are hoping to influence for the Lord. |
| In particular God wants to encourage you, Lysias, that this would be the outcome of the freedom Aristobulus wants to give you. It will not only enable you to serve Aristobulus in a greater variety of ways but also to serve others in ways that you can’t do at present. So you are to go ahead and take this step with confidence. |
| | [The following is an alternative sermon and prophecy which is more suited to an evangelistic setting. It still needs some work.] |
| Aquila | [Mini sermon, on 1 Cor 13:11-14:1] I’m glad we’ve brought out this letter from Paul because there’s another section in it which may be helpful for us all. Let me find it … [Looks through the scroll.] … aah, here it is —When I was a little child I talked and felt and thought like a little child. Now that I am older I have finished with childish things.At present we look at puzzling reflections in a mirror. The time will come when we shall see reality whole and face to face! At present all I know is a little fraction of the truth, but the time will come when I shall know it as fully as God has known me!In this life we have three lasting qualities — faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love. You must want love more than anything else; but still hope for the spiritual gifts as well, especially prophecy. |
| | What struck me about what Paul says here is that there are so many things which are difficult for us to know and so many decisions which are difficult to make. When we were children we didn’t know very much at all, but even as grown-ups there’s so much that we don’t know. But it helps a lot to trust that God does know these things. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows the answers to all our questions and our worries. And one day, when we see him face to face, we will see past all our confusions and understand how things really are…. |
| | You know, I think a lot of us still have a very childish picture of God. As we mature we realise that life isn’t as simple as we once thought. We refine our understanding of people, of responsibility, of money … but for some reason we hang on to a very simple image of God. There comes a time to give up childish notions and to see how immense God really is…. |
| | In the midst of all the changes in life, there are still some things which bring stability — our loyalty to God, our expectation that he has got things under control and the love which we receive from him and can pass on to others…. |
| Mary | [After a pause] As I was sitting here, thinking about what Aquila said, I knew God wished me to say something, firstly to all of us, and then to one particular person. God wants us to know that … we must all grow up … and change some of our attitudes … In particular God wants to encourage you, Lysias, not to be scared of change. The opportunity Aristobulus is offering you to be free is just part of that process of growing up and you should welcome it. It will not only enable you to serve Aristobulus in a greater variety of ways but also to serve others in ways you can’t do at present. So you are to go ahead and take this step with confidence. |
| [There is a positive general response. Aristobulus and Lysias are particularly excited and relieved.] |
| [Pause] |
| Aquila | [Walks across to Mary. Standing beside her, he places his hand upon her head] Let’s all pray together for Mary. [Some others stand and join them] Our Father, we are glad to see Mary so much improved since last week and join with her in thanking you for your faithfulness and love. We continue to ask that you bless her with good health and in particular that this back problem would leave her. We ask this for Mary’s sake, through the power of Jesus. |
| All | Amen, etc. |
| Aquila | How about we sing the grace together? |
| All | [Sing “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…” or “Now unto him…”] |
| Publius | It seemed that this signaled the end of the meeting. Well, perhaps not quite the real end, for I remembered what Euodia had said to me earlier about when it really began! |
| All | [Apart from Publius, the actors stand and briefly bid each other farewell. They each remove their costume to signify their departure and then resume their seats as normal people once more.] |
| | [Alternatively, Publius could narrate a series of farewells as they are mimed, or the farewells suggested below could be improvised by all] |
| | Mary and her husband immediately bade goodnight to their hosts and went out with their children, Priscilla accompanying them. The second family, excusing their withdrawal by referring to the lateness of the hour, also made their farewells. Both groups came across to me on their way out and wished me a happy stay in Rome, and one of them invited me to an evening meal the following week. I accepted. The remainder stayed on, talking in small groups, and on her return Priscilla offered them some more wine. I noticed Aristobulus discussing with Hermas in one corner of the room and confidentially giving him some money, overriding the other’s protestations as he did so. The two slaves also said goodbye and Aquila conducted them through the hall to the main door. We decided to take our leave as well and followed them out into the hall. Ahead of us Priscilla had halted the two slaves just as they were about to leave and pressed two serviettes full of leftovers into their hands. They left and we began to make our own farewells. |
| Publius | I thanked Aquila and Priscilla most warmly for including me in their invitation and they made it clear that I was welcome to come with Clement and Euodia anytime during my stay in Rome. After receiving our sandals all but myself kissed one another goodbye. Aquila and Priscilla commended us to the grace of god, we collected our cloaks, threw them over our shoulders and went out into the night. |
| As we left, the others discussed among themselves the events of the night, and I thought back over what had happened since we’d set out that afternoon. Although things had turned out very differently to what I had expected, by and large I had to say I’d enjoyed the evening. The people themselves certainly impressed me, yet their meetings seemed to be grossly inadequate from a religious point of view, and the novelty of some of the things they did was most off-putting. But despite my misgivings about some of the proprieties they disregarded, the beliefs they entertained and enthusiasms they gave reign to, there was something about their interchange, both during the meal and even after it, that strangely commended itself. There was something about their goings-on that was unmistakably real. |
| I wonder whether I will take up Aquila and Priscilla’s invitation to attend next week. It’s hard to say, but I suspect that I might. How about you? |
