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Acts 4:32-37
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.
Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas
(which is translated son of encouragement”),
a Levite, a Cypriot by birth,
sold a piece of property that he owned,
then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.
The Word of the Lord.
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Throughout the Easter season, our first reading is often taken from the Acts of the Apostles, which describes the life of the early Church, answering questions like:
How did the first Christians react to the resurrection? How did they worship God? Did they celebrate Mass? Did they live in community?
One of those questions is answered today.
In our first reading, we hear, “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own.”
The first Christians were immensely generous.
Barnabas, for example, sells his property, laying the profits at the feet of the Apostles so that others who are poor and hungry might be clothed and fed that night.
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In many ways, the Church has continued that tradition of giving.
We as an institution have founded more hospitals, schools, orphanages, soup kitchens, and universities than any other group or institution on the planet.
We’ve put flesh and bones on that line from scripture, “God loves a cheerful giver.”
While we don’t have to sell our property like Barnabas, there are ways we can still contribute to the wellbeing of others through a thoughtful gesture, breaking the bonds of isolation, donating to charity, or simply bending our ear to another.
Like other Christians who’ve gone before me, how might I be a cheerful giver today?
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