27 April 2014
Divine Mercy Sunday
Is Luke (the author of Acts) painting a picture of an idyllic early Christian community that is, for us today, beyond our reach?
Two very important events put today’s passage in its proper context. The great Pentecost experience has energized the nucleus of the early church, and Peter has emerged as its leader and spokesman delivering a passionate speech to the masses. As evidenced by today’s reading, the new “spirited” community immediately puts into practice what it hears.1. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles. The community continued the teaching tradition of those directly linked to Jesus. Over time dogmas and doctrines would develop as the church addressed various needs and issues. But its foundation was, and always will be, the message of Jesus and the teaching authority of his apostles, which we ourselves can access faithfully in Sacred Scripture.
2. All who believed were together and had all things in common. This early community provided its people with a true home. The needs of its members were met and Jesus' commandment of love was put into practice. Gathering as community did not mean only celebrating prayerful religious observances. They knew that the Gospel message must be translated into direct, loving acts.
3. Every day they devoted themselves to breaking bread in their homes. Eucharist was at the heart of their daily lives. In their simple, secular act of breaking bread they now memorialized a sacred event, the Paschal mystery. Ordinary life was now touched with sacredness, with extraordinary grace and meaning.
Scriptural belief, service, and Eucharist came together in that early church, and became, through their fidelity and those of subsequent generations, the foundation of our Christian life and faith. These things are well within our reach.
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| Bohdan Piasecki, 1998 |
