Free Man of God by Debra Diaz Page B

who was a widower, came in with his son and
daughter-in-law…though she had not yet become a believer. There
were Camillus and Lucia with their children…only their youngest was
a pupil of Alysia’s. They had brought someone with them, a heavily
veiled woman, and Lucia whispered that the woman had been visiting
them and expressed great interest in learning more about the
“Nazarenes,” as believers were often called.
    Alysia nodded. “Thank you for coming, Lucia.
I know it’s difficult.”
    Lucia smiled a little. “This does help me.
I’m sorry I wasn’t more receptive the other day.”
    Alysia would have spoken to the other woman,
but she had moved quickly away and found a place on a bench near
the corner. Someone else arrived and engaged Alysia in
conversation; she must be sure to try and make the veiled woman
feel welcome before the meeting was over.
    Simon came, with his sons and their wives.
Aquila and Priscilla were a newly married couple, who showed
promise of eventually taking on a role of leadership. Aquila was a
Jew; they lived in the Jewish section and worked in a shop making
and repairing tents. Paulus had met the young couple in the forum
almost a year ago, where they had been purchasing goat hides needed
for their trade. Simon had grown especially close to them, and they
were responsible for his being employed there, as well.
    Several others arrived, some with spouses and
some alone…missing were Flavius and his wife, as Alysia had
expected, and Daphne, a former prostitute who hadn’t come to the
meetings for months. Paulus had attempted to find her several
times, to no avail. Not everyone had so “colorful” a past as
Daphne, but many of these had been immersed in following other
gods, other philosophies, or had believed nothing at all. Some had
confessed to Paulus of being dishonest in their business, some had
torturous family relationships, a few admitted to sexual misdeeds
that would have appalled anyone not as knowledgeable of Rome’s
vices as Paulus…who didn’t particularly want to know the lurid
details, but often people seemed to want to unburden themselves,
perhaps seeking reassurance that God could really forgive such
things.
    The meeting began, and parents watched with
pride as their children recited the verses they had chosen. Alysia,
too, was proud of them as they stood still, their arms at their
sides, and spoke clearly, as she had taught them.
    “ Fear not, for I am with you; be not
dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help
you; I will uphold you with the right hand of my
righteousness.”
    “ But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement
of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed.”
    “ Create in me a clean heart, o God, and
renew a right spirit within me…a broken and contrite heart, O God,
you will not despise.”
    The boy who had appeared sullen about being
required to recite took his place, said very quickly, “ In the
beginning God created the heaven and the earth ”, and sat down
with an air of having made a great accomplishment. His parents
looked somewhat abashed.
    Alysia deliberated swiftly, and feeling
confident the child could answer, said, “Thank you, Quintinius.
Because the rest of that passage is so long, perhaps you could
simply tell us the things God created.”
    Quintinius wrinkled his face resentfully but
managed to state the order of creation.
    “And what did God say about those things he
created?”
    The boy shrugged. “ It was very
good .”
    Alysia smiled, Quintinius looked pleased with
himself, and his parents relaxed. The twins stepped forward and
recited their verses together…an entire psalm of David.
    Rachel had waited until last.
    “ When my father and my mother forsake me,
then the Lord will take me up. Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead
me in a plain path, because of my enemies. Deliver me not over unto
the will of my enemies; for false witnesses