April 12, 2015 – Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday
Acts 4: 32-35; Ps 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Jn 5: 1-6; Jn 20: 19-31
“The community of believers was of one heart and one mind.” For those who practice stewardship as a way of life every passage from Holy Scripture contains a stewardship message. However, today’s readings are particularly special in that regard. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles speaks to the sense of unity and teamwork of the early Church. Our own parishes may reflect this idea that we are one, and that we have a common purpose.
One of the great misconceptions of this particular scriptural passage is that it reflects what we might term a “sense of Communism.” However, as we as Catholics and stewards reflect upon this, we must understand a basic difference. Communism says “What you think is yours is really mine.” Our faith, our community, and our good stewards say, “What may seem to be mine is really yours.”
“No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own.” This is the stewardship understanding that, first and foremost, everything comes from, is gifted by, and is possessed by God, not by us. In addition, stewards understand that all their gifts are to be shared with others. The key to this entire passage is, nonetheless, that the early Christians regarded people as more important than things. As difficult as this may be for us, that is to what we are called, as well.
