7 April 2024 Divine Mercy Sunday
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
From Acts 4:32-35, NRSV
Luke paints a very positive picture of life in the earliest Christian community. They are seen as unified and caring with no-one in any kind of need. This support would have been vital to those who had left the support of family to join this new community. This unity and mutual care clearly gave them the strength and grace to continue their proclamation of the resurrection. We know that this idealised vision of community did not continue through the life of the church and many would dismiss it as irrelevant or impractical as a model for church today. However, as church, the challenge may be for us to find new ways to embody the message of Jesus in our life together that attract others to belong.
- What do you think motivated the early Christian community to live such close fellowship?
- How might our own church communities give greater witness to the message of Jesus?
Pray for your own church community and its witness to the place where you live.
