Frederick, Maryland,
United States - Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Tuesday, 29 April 2014
- Catholic Meditations
Meditations: Acts 4:32
The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them
claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they
had all things in common. 33 With great power, the apostles gave their
testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners
of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were
sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to
each, according as anyone had need. 36 Joses, who by the apostles was also
called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite,
a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and
laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Saint Catherine of
Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
There was no needy
person among them. (Acts 4:34)
Isn’t it striking how
the first Christians took care of one another? Moved by their love for the Lord
and for each other, the wealthier members of their community—people like
Barnabas—freely shared their resources with those who were less fortunate. They
considered their bounty as a blessing from God, something that they should
share with each other rather than hold onto for themselves (Acts 4:34-37).
Blessed Frederic Ozanam
is a more contemporary example of someone who, like the early Christians,
looked beyond himself to the needs of the people around him. When thousands
died in a cholera epidemic in Paris in 1832, many more were left destitute.
Ozanam, a young university student, was moved at the hopeless state of families
who had lost the support of their breadwinners. Then he was stung by another
student’s remark: “In former times Christianity worked wonders, but what is it
doing for mankind now? And you, who pride yourself on your Catholicity, what
are you doing for the poor?”
In response, Ozanam
gathered a few friends and began to do whatever he could to relieve the
suffering he saw in the slums of the city. Eventually, a new organization, the
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, grew from Ozanam’s work and spread. Through the
society, volunteers serve millions of disadvantaged people around the globe.
They provide home visits, job training, housing assistance, food pantries, and
medicine for the elderly. They pray with people, care for their needs, and show
the love of Christ in countless concrete ways.
Most of us don’t live in
so close-knit a community as the first Christians, where everything was held in
common. Nor would many of us be able, like Barnabas, to sell our property,
donate it to our local parish, and still be able to care for ourselves and our
families. But God still calls us to bear witness to Jesus through acts of
generosity and loving service that are in line with our circumstances. So ask
the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to see the needs around you. Sharing even a little
of your resources, even a little of your time and attention, can make a big
difference!
“Lord, show me how I can
share the blessings you have given me.” Amen.
Psalm 93:1 Yahweh
reigns!
He is clothed with majesty!
Yahweh is armed with strength.
The world also is
established.
It can’t be moved.
2 Your throne is
established from long ago.
You are from everlasting.
5 Your statutes stand
firm.
Holiness adorns your house,
Yahweh, forever more.
John 3:7 Don’t marvel
that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ 8 The wind[a] blows where it wants
to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is
going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered
him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered him,
“Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things? 11 Most
certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we
have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. 12 If I told you earthly things
and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13
No one has ascended into heaven, but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of
Man, who is in heaven. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him
should not perish, but have eternal life.
Footnotes:
a. John 3:8 The same
Greek word (pneuma) means wind, breath, and spirit
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