Acts 4:32-37
Psalm 93:1-2, 5
John 3:7-15
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MAKING A STATEMENT
"None of them ever claimed anything as his own; rather, everything was held in common." —Acts 4:32
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.
(For a related teaching on Christian Community, listen to, download or order our CD 93-1 and CD 93-3 or DVD 93 on our website.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."
"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from April 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") 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 the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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