| October 9, 2020 Good afternoon, ” Still, I think it necessary to send Epaphroditus, my brother and co-worker….I urge Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind… for even when I was in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs more than once… ” Philippians 2:25, 4:2 and 4:16 The marvelous thing about the letters that we have in the New Testament is that real people and real places are mentioned in them. Timothy and Paul are writing to situations of reality to the people of Philippi. They have a friend named Epaphroditus. He almost died, but he recovered and he will go visit the faithful in Philippi. Euodia and Syntyche probably were embarrassed by getting mentioned in the letter because it seems they do not get along. All letters are personal, and these are real people. The distance between Philippi and Thessalonica is a day’s drive with a car today. It is a beautiful ride along the Aegean coast. It would have taken Timothy and Paul a few days of hard walking. The walking and horse roads of 2000 years ago still exist in some spots including the site of ancient Philippi. The writers are speaking of real life situations here. Who has led you to a relationship with Jesus ? Who are the Epaphroditus’ of your journey of life ? Mr. Ed McCarthy, high school football coach. Pierre Goldschmidt, farmer/minister in Alsace , France. Tran Van Ho, former Vietnamese refugee living in Toronto. Waldemar Regier, minister. Tom Toder Neufeld, professor/pastor/friend. Where have you met Jesus ? Niagara-on-the-Lake, Peterborough, Alsace, Thailand, Lancaster PA, Floradale, Poole, Paris, Athens, Corinth and Istanbul .Istanbul is my favourite religious space in the whole world.God is here among us, as God was there in Philippi. Salaam and strength for our journey of life and faith together.  Fred Tread on bold new paths! Fireflies flash the direction Hope springs eternal ! Monica Pieper Landoni 2020 |
