Memory of the Mother of the Lord

Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena (+1380); she worked for peace, for the unity of Christians, and for the poor.

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Spirit of the Lord is upon you.
The child you shall bear will be holy.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Acts 4,32-37

The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all accorded great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from the sale of them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any who might be in need. There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement'). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money and presented it to the apostles.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Look down, O Lord, on your servants.
Be it unto us according to your word.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The effects of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciples can be seen immediately. The author of Acts once again narrates in a concise but clear manner the life of the community: all who had accepted the Gospel were of one heart and one soul. The Gospel provokes this new climate of communion among those who welcome it. And it is a profound communion that also manifests itself in life, to the point that "no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common." The spirit of communion does not remain confined to some particular sphere, but pervades the whole life of the community and expresses itself precisely also in the pooling of goods. This image of community, which may seem utopian, shows the disciples of all times the way forward: communion and sharing. This transformation of relationships between believers is not the fruit of a merely human choice, that is, it does not arise from simple human attitudes, it is rather the fruit of the action of the Spirit that urges one not only to love oneself, but also others, especially the weakest. The Spirit is the true protagonist that ferments the community of believers in solidarity. And the emphasis on the communion of goods that avoided all inequality and abandonment signifies the power of communion that flows from evangelical love. The author of Acts underlines that "there was not a needy person among them," because they were sharing in the goods of those who were wealthier. In this way he shows a pastoral path: the Gospel quality of the Christian community is visible in its capacity to care for its weakest members. Barnabas' generosity is exemplary: Gospel love unites and makes the fraternity of disciples and makes it steady.