April 21

Today’s Readings: ACTS 4:32-37 PS 93:1-2, 5 JN 3:7-15

Some people might get a bit nervous when they hear today’s first reading.

“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.” It goes on. “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.”

Sounds a bit…well…socialist. (This is meant to be a statement of fact – not an endorsement or rejection of any political platform.) But we can’t call the apostles socialists because no one was forced to participate. Socialism (like every American political platform in this regard) imposes its will on dissenters if it is in a position of political power. What is described in today’s reading is something entirely different.

It was a community of like-minded believers. There was 100% buy-in. It was a unified family with a common cause where no (hu)man was left behind.

The best example I can think of is a deeply personal one.

We couldn’t afford to continue the legal battle to keep our first child, so we decided to have a yard sale. Our opposition had higher-paid lawyers and it looked like the adoption would be reversed. Our little girl would grow up in unsafe circumstances. And even though we eventually lost Liliana, I will never forget the response we received when we asked for donations. What we hoped would be a full driveway, ended up filling the front yard, the garage, half the house, and most of the back yard. Truckload after truckload arrived from friends and family. Most of the people who donated personal belongings also bought other items. “Keep the change” was a commonly heard phrase as people bought items for twice the asking price. Beauty and anguish hold hands in my memory of the event.

This reading has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with the Catholic family. This is who we are.

David is the Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Joy. If you have comments or questions, send your emails to dlins@oloj.org.

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