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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, we read from the Acts of the Apostles, which tells us what life was like within the first Christian communities.
As we hear today, “The community of believers was of one heart and one mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.”
Barnabas, for example, sells all of his property and places the profits at the feet of the Apostles, to be used at their discretion.
That’d be like selling your home and your car, downsizing to the basics, and giving all of the proceeds to charity.
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But that’s who we are as a Church.
We are generous people who lay down our possessions, offer our talents, and even lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel.
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In fact, the Church has commissioned more missionaries, founded more hospitals, schools, orphanages, soup kitchens, high schools and universities than any other institution in history.
Occasionally, these sacrifices are highlighted by the lives of Saints like Barnabas or Mother Teresa, but most often these sacrifices are made by ordinary people like us who live out their faith in little ways day after day.
For example, some of you purify our linens for Mass; others bring communion to the sick or homebound; others are intercessors, choir members, counters, ministry leaders, or staff.
How might we continue this Catholic tradition of generous giving today?
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Image credits: (1) Pinterest (2) Friends of Little Portion Hermitage (3) Church of the Living Word