April 13, 2021

Acts 4: 32-37

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

Sharing fully of ourselves

The followers of Jesus shared everything in common after the resurrection. There was nothing lacking among them because the generous gave up all they had for the community. Yet, there is something even greater at work here. They didn’t just share their physical possessions, they shared all of themselves. They completely belonged to each other. Their hearts were open to one another, and they shared their past sins with each other, their joys, their sorrows, their fears, their weaknesses. Many of us would much rather hold onto our secrets and move through the world without being honest with each other. We live in fear that if we share our belongings, our hearts, our pasts, or our fears, that those things will not be respected and as a result, those parts of us will be damaged. How can we more fully share ourselves with our Christian sisters and brothers?

—Alex Hale, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic from the Midwest Province studying philosophy at Loyola University Chicago.

Prayer

Lord God, remind us of how the early followers lived. Teach us to be more vulnerable with those around us and teach us to hold the gifts of our sisters and brothers with respect. That by giving of ourselves we may receive and in living for others, we may recognize that we belong to each other. Amen.

—Alex Hale, SJ