Early Christians "shared all things in common" (Acts 2:44). This work of the Holy Spirit was a powerful witness to Jesus' Resurrection (Acts 4:33). Sharing all things in common requires a miraculous unity. "The community of believers were of one heart" (Acts 4:32). Furthermore, sharing all things in common is motivated by such zeal for evangelization that we pool our resources to maximize our evangelistic outreach.
When we become one in heart, mind, and possessions, we begin to be one as Jesus and the Father are one. Then the world will believe that the Father has sent the Son (Jn 17:21). With power we bear "witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 4:33).
Sharing all things in common is so powerful because it is so difficult. It is close to impossible to share deeply and practically with others. Our pride and selfishness militate against this. Furthermore, in our highly secularized culture, individualism, independence, and privacy are almost gods, so sharing all things is out of the question. Therefore, when we share all things in common in our culture, we make quite a statement. People will be challenged to call us crazy or to believe in Jesus' Resurrection.
| PRAYER: | Father, by Your power may I do something that cannot be explained except by believing in Your Son's Resurrection. |
| PROMISE: | "The wind blows where it will. You hear the sound it makes but you do not know where it comes from, or where it goes. So it is with everyone begotten of the Spirit." –Jn 3:8 |
| PRAISE: | The members of Marty's Home-Based Community pool their finances to give alms and support a full-time ministry volunteer. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College