TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2024
TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER B
Acts 4:32-37
John 3:7-15
GENEROSITY: THE HALLMARK OF THE IDEAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.
To belong to a Christian community brings with it certain quality and dignity. And every member of that community must have certain spirit that guides them. This attitude and spirit is what is described in our readings of today and it is basically, a generous spirit, which makes every member to seek the interest and well-being of one another in the Community.
Our first reading describes the community of the early Christian community. It was characterized by a sharing spirit. A spirit that seeks the well-being of individuals which resulted to a fact whereby no one lacked anything. It is a community that makes everyone equal. Goods and properties owned individually are presented and given to be shared to those in want.
It is a community that attends to each other’s needs. Sharing is the key. People share their gifts according to the needs of the community. Even though everyone had its gifts individually but when it is needed, it is presented to satisfy the needs of others. People were open to give, to be generous and magnanimous in helping and sharing.
It was not a case of submitting all you have to a common ownership of the goods. No!!! But it was a case of owning things individually but with the intention of presenting such gifts and talents when needed by the community members or when requested to submit such.
The experience was enriching, satisfying and very gratifying. It test the giving powers of the people and their generous spirit. And it also satisfies the needs not just the wants of members. People generally were happy and joyful at such community because everyone was satisfied and no one was in want. It creates a community where everyone was equal before all.
This kind of spirit of the disciples is what is engendered by the spirit of God. It is against the human tendencies of greed, selfishness and self seeking. It is the spirit of the post resurrected people that counts everything as nothing but for the salvation of souls. It is a forms of existential living that is higher is moral standards and given by the spirit of Christ. Remember that generosity is a gift of the spirit.
And this is what we are called to do. To be generous people, to seek the good and well-being of others, to use our talents and our resources for others, to help the downtrodden and the needy, to share at all times without counting the cost. This is the kind of spirit that Jesus expects us all to have as a new people.
And we must be armed with the idea that no one is not without a gift. It could be gifts of material or corporeal posssession, money, clothes, etc or non corporeal things like knowledge, wisdom, availability, listening, helping in errand, etc. Gifts are varied, and must be used for the good of others when demand of it is made.
God our Father, help us to be disposed to give generously to people who demand or are in need of what we have or possess. Grant, that we may never deny or be stingy to people who need our generosity and services. May we be of service to people and gain your blessings in all circumstances of our lives through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
