A number of subsidiary themes emerge in this reading from Acts, and we probably should take note of them, although they do not form the main thrust of the text.

 

We have here a brief story of a Hebrew woman given the Aramaic name of Tabitha, which means "gazelle," or called Dorcas in the Greek. This is the only mention that we have of Dorcas in the scripture, but over the centuries, her reputation as a person of good works and charity toward the poor has been preserved. It is now not unusual to find "Dorcas societies" in some local churches made up of women dedicated to similar good deeds. Dorcas' service in the cause of Christ has lasted far beyond her own lifetime.

 

Dorcas, in our text, falls ill and dies, leaving behind her a whole group of poor widows to whom she has ministered and f…