Word to the Wise
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 - 2nd Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 4:32-37 and John 3:7b-15]The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. [Acts]
One of the motivating ideas behind the founding of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) may be seen in the passage from the Acts of the Apostles in today's first scripture. The Albigensian heresy that Dominic sought to counter was characterized by its austerity and communal ways. Their lifestyle preached before they said a word. Indeed, a man named Peter Seelos in Toulouse gave his house to Dominic as the first real house for the first friars!
There have been thousands of efforts historically to imitate that first community of Christians in Jerusalem. Some have succeeded for a time and others have been short-lived. Catholic religious orders like the Dominicans and Franciscans do make a "vow of poverty" in which no one actually owns anything. All material items are the property of the order. In other Christian groups like the Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites and Anabaptists, there are varying degrees of communal life.
Individualism and private property are deeply rooted in our American way of life. The lifestyle described in the Acts of the Apostles seems impractical and idealistic to many if not most in our country. Yet, it was that lifestyle which faith in Jesus inspired and which attracted many to that same faith. Perhaps there is a challenge to us to consider how individualistic and acquisitive we really are, and what does this say about our faith, especially in a society like ours where many are still without adequate shelter or food or medical care. AMEN