One of the lectionary readings for this Sunday is Acts 2:42-47. The text gives a brief description of the early church, and there are a few verses in particular which stand out to me today. “[They] shared all things in common; they would sell their property and goods, sharing the proceeds with one another as each had need. They met in the Temple and they broke bread together in their homes every day…”
What first strikes me is that they “shared all things in common”, and any possessions they had were sold, with the income divided by need. This is so different from how so many of us live. Yes, there are communities that do this level of sharing in community, but they are few and far between. But still, this can also serve as a call to be generous with our belongings and finances, when we are able.
I’ve been deeply moved by a movement I’ve seen amongst people who feel more financially secure in this time to donate their stimulus checks. In particular, I’ve been watching a fund for immigrants here in Minnesota who, for various reasons, won’t receive a check. As of April 29th, there’s over $178,000. I know that giving to this fund isn’t the same thing as selling all possessions, but I think it is a beautiful example of the ways in which people are working to support the wider community in these days.
I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the piece about spending lots of time together, including breaking bread together. Zoom and FaceTime are wonderful, but this has me yearning for in-person community. In the weeks and months before social distancing, we had established patterns of eating with our upstairs neighbors on Saturdays and with other friends on Mondays. I hunger for the day that those meals can happen again.
What aspects of community are you missing today? Where are you seeing mutual support happening in your wider community during this time?
Hannah Campbell Gustafson ’09
Associate Chaplain for Christian and Interfaith Life
April 30, 2020