reading guide:
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/NTEaster.asp
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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Acts 4:32-37, Psalm 93, John 3:7-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/040108.shtml
WHAT!?!
"The community of believers were of one heart and one mind. None of them
ever claimed anything as his own; rather, everything was held in
common." —Acts 4:32
Go back and re-read the above verse. Then close your eyes for a moment and
picture the lifestyle of the early Christians. Our ancestors in faith
"were of one heart and one mind. None of them ever claimed anything as his
own; rather, everything was held in common" (Acts 4:32). "Nor was there
anyone needy among them, for all who owned property or houses sold them
and donated the proceeds. They used to lay them at the feet of the
apostles to be distributed to everyone according to his need" (Acts
4:34-35). This is the lifestyle in faith we inherited from the early
Christians.
You might say it's impossible to live a lifestyle like that in today's
world. You would be correct. To live like the early Christians, you'd need
to "be begotten from above" (Jn 3:7). You'd have to daily live the
"radical newness of the Christian life that comes from Baptism" (Lay
Members of Christ's Faithful People, 10). You would need to have a moment
by moment, unfailing trust in the constant providence of your heavenly
Father to provide everything you need (Mt 6:8, 11). Does this lifestyle of
faith resemble yours?
If we listed each of our possessions, we could probably manage to justify
to ourselves a reason for owning each item. However, could we justify it
to the poor, who need our help now? Could we justify ourselves to the
early Christians? Can we justify our lifestyle to Jesus?
Prayer: Lord, do I really trust You? Do I truly believe Your promises to
provide for me? May I live my Baptism in radical newness.
Promise: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the
Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in
Him." —Jn 3:14-15
Praise: Imitating the simple lifestyle of Jesus, Joseph sold his car and
now rides to work and church on a bicycle.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April
1, 2008 through May 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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