The
resurrection really matters. It makes a
difference. Life is different because it
happened. [John 3:7-15]
We spend a
lot of time during the Easter Season (the 50 days between the Resurrection and
Pentecost) watching and learning about the early Christian community revealed
in the Acts of the Apostles. They had so
much to figure out, so much to understand. How was their encounter with Jesus to matter,
if at all? And especially, what
difference was their encounter with the Risen Jesus going to have in their
lives?
Most of the
early chapters of Acts of the Apostles highlights their growing sense of
community. Phrases like “the
community of believers was of one heart and mind” and “they
had everything in common” reveal a
deepening understanding of being connected, bound together. In the ordinary lives they lived, these early
believers knew they had to live differently.
“There was no needy person among them.” And for those who had more than they needed, it was “distributed
to each according to need.” [Acts 4:32-37]
Our cultural
tendency toward individualism is a challenge to living our faith. Our political and social differences become
exaggerated, driving us farther apart. We self-protect more than we reach out to
help. But what so often captures our
imaginations are news stories of valiant volunteers responding to neighbors in
need, or of communities of sisters, brothers and priests living a common life
in communities of faith. We’re inspired
by them because they tap something fundamental inside us. We know we’re our better selves when we are in
community, caring for others. The early
believers understood this…even if they didn’t perfectly live it. And we understand it, also. We just need to find simple ways each day to
live it.
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