Morning Message: April 28

Usually the first Christians were a small group in a town.  They lived communally; that is, they shared all their food, money, clothes, and homes with one another.  Religious communities still live that way. 

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.  All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all as any had need.  Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.  And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Think about this silently in your heart.  These early Christians shared everything they had, perhaps even with strangers.  What do you think made them do that?

Boys and girls, there were six people in my family growing up and we all liked to do different things.  My parents liked to go antiquing, my brother liked to ice skate and play hockey, my one sister liked to ride horses, my other sister liked to swim, especially at the beach, and I liked to read, play the cello and ride my bike.  Even though we all enjoyed doing different activities, we all loved each other very much and enjoyed spending time together.

Every year, when it was time to plan our birthday celebrations or summer vacation, my mom and dad gave each family member a turn to choose where they would like to go.  This way everyone had a chance to choose his or her favorite place.  But no matter what we did each year we always had a lot of fun because we did it together as a family.

Our church is much like our family.  We each have our own individual way of serving Jesus.  Some of us like to sing and others enjoy teaching a class.  There are some that love to say hello to people and welcome them to church each week and others who take the offering.  Every person is special and unique.  We are different, but we all have one very special thing in common—we all love Jesus and have given our lives to Him.

When the church first began in the book of Acts the people were very different from one another. But they all had one thing in common – their relationship with Jesus Christ. They all worked together to tell others about Jesus and loved and encouraged one another at church.  We need to do the same thing today.  We come to church and to a Catholic school to learn more about Jesus as well as helping our brothers and sisters and serving Jesus by using the gifts that He has given to us.  We are a family in Jesus’ name and God’s family sticks together.

Generous and loving God, we pray for the same spirit that inspired the early Christians.  Help us to be generous and loving to all we meet and to share our love for you.  We ask this in the name of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a wonderful day!