It is all from God

Readings for Tuesday April 21, 2009

First Reading:  Acts 4:32-37

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 93

Gospel:  John 3:7-15

The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.
With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. (Acts 4:32-35)

"Sharing is caring!"  Doesn't this sound like something that we have either learned in school or actually tried to teach to a young person that we know?  It really is a great phrase that really does speak to what we are called to do.  The early community not only believed this, but also acted on it.  Imagine if everyone in your parish went out and sold all of the extra stuff that they had and everyone only kept the things which they needed to live (house, clothes, food, etc).  Now imagine that all the people who simplified and sold their extra stuff went and gave the money to their parish and a few other local ministries; what kind of impact do you think that would make?  I believe that if something like this were to happen, we would see a similar trend as with the early community, "no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common."  (Acts 4:32)  

Now please do not think of me as trying to start some new trend in each of the parishes, all I am saying is that this early community made it a high priority to make sure that the community had what it needed, and if that meant selling their stuff, then so be it.  They did not make things about them, they made it about Christ and His church.  The early community was of one heart and mind not because of any special markings or privileges that they had; they were of one heart and mind because of their willingness to give up the things of this world and to cling to Christ.  They knew a truth that so few of us go about discovering:  everything that we have is not ours, it is all from God.  

I pray that we will not be so attached to our things that it makes us blind to the needs of our community.   

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day.  Lord, we thank you and give you praise for all that we have and all that we can do.  Lord, we know that everything is from you, help us to have the wisdom to realize this truth.  Lord, help us to rely more on you than the things of this world, for true joy and peace only come from knowing, loving, and serving you.  Lord we thank you for our lives and for all that you call us to.  We ask this all through Christ our Lord.  Amen.