Daily Retreat 04/17/07
2007 Apr 17 Tue: Easter Weekday
Acts 4: 32-37/ Ps 92(93): 1ab. 1cd-2. 5/ Jn 3: 7b-15
From today's readings: "The community of believers was of one heart and mind.... The Lord is king; He is robed in majesty.... You must be born from above...."
Benchmark of Community Life
The Christian faith is founded upon personal relationships of love with the Lord Jesus Christ, but one's relationship with Christ develops, not in isolation, but in the context of the network of all relationships with Christ, which is the Church. So, don't skim over the weighty verses of the first reading, since they outline healthy characteristics to look for which give witness to a healthy community life in the Church.
First, "the community of believers was of one heart and mind," that is, unity of faith, since one's faith is dependent on the cooperation of heart and mind. Second, "no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common," that is, commitment to sharing all blessings, in recognition that they all come from God, and are given for the common good. Third, "with great power, the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus," that is, zealous focus on Christ's Resurrection, which is the Holy Spirit's mainspring of Christian evangelization. Finally, "great grace was accorded them all," that is, visible, outward signs of Christ's presence sanctified their lives.
Now, we can use these characteristics as criteria for guiding our efforts to build up the Church. All our ideas and programs and work, to be considered Christian, must truly contribute to unity of faith, must foster commitment to sharing all blessings, must highlight the zealous focus on Christ's Resurrection, and must incorporate sacramental sanctification.
Acts 4: 32-37/ Ps 92(93): 1ab. 1cd-2. 5/ Jn 3: 7b-15
From today's readings: "The community of believers was of one heart and mind.... The Lord is king; He is robed in majesty.... You must be born from above...."
Benchmark of Community Life
The Christian faith is founded upon personal relationships of love with the Lord Jesus Christ, but one's relationship with Christ develops, not in isolation, but in the context of the network of all relationships with Christ, which is the Church. So, don't skim over the weighty verses of the first reading, since they outline healthy characteristics to look for which give witness to a healthy community life in the Church.
First, "the community of believers was of one heart and mind," that is, unity of faith, since one's faith is dependent on the cooperation of heart and mind. Second, "no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common," that is, commitment to sharing all blessings, in recognition that they all come from God, and are given for the common good. Third, "with great power, the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus," that is, zealous focus on Christ's Resurrection, which is the Holy Spirit's mainspring of Christian evangelization. Finally, "great grace was accorded them all," that is, visible, outward signs of Christ's presence sanctified their lives.
Now, we can use these characteristics as criteria for guiding our efforts to build up the Church. All our ideas and programs and work, to be considered Christian, must truly contribute to unity of faith, must foster commitment to sharing all blessings, must highlight the zealous focus on Christ's Resurrection, and must incorporate sacramental sanctification.
posted by FrPitstick | 4/16/2007
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