Today we honor Saint Catherine of Siena, one of four women doctors of the church. As we remember her today, let us recall one of her conversations with Jesus. Jesus told her that love of me (Jesus) and of a neighbor is the same thing. Wow.
Community of Believers
The first line of the first reading, from Acts, was right on target with Saint Catherine. The reading begins by saying that the community of believers was of one heart and mind. The followers sold what they owned and shared the proceeds. This is a different sort of lifestyle than we have had in our church in a very long time. No one was short of money or lacked anything. I am not a supporter of communism, but it sure sounds nice while it lasts, at least back in the day. Modern versions never quite turned out, but we also do not have many Catholic communities trying this, except for monasteries and convents, I suppose.
One Heart
As Catholics, we are all “trained” to be close to the heart of Jesus. As Connor reminded us on April 7, we know many things from Church and Sunday school and being active Catholics. We know the earthly things that need to be done, based on this “knowledge.” Indeed, knowledge is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The village residents of today’s reading had teachings from the Apostles themselves, so you can be sure that knowledge of the faith was a real thing back then. They indeed had one heart filled with that knowledge.
One Mind
The “understanding” part of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit could allow someone to go “all in” on the communal, religious lifestyle of their village. The Bible was not yet written back then, and we know that there is not a requirement to live this way, but it seemed like a natural way for our ancestors to try to live. The love and trust and communion held them together mentally. There are some shenanigans later in the story, about someone withholding funds, and being killed for violating the heart or mind of the village. Human nature can ignore the sharing part, sometimes.
Today
As we move through today’s society, it is much harder to see “one heart and one mind” very often. People are vandalizing cars and businesses out of spite. Judges are ruling against proper authority. The curtains have been opened to a shadowy world of government funding of some pretty sketchy activity. There continues to be policies that go against God’s words and desires. As with all things, I suggest that we start working on our own hearts and minds, and make sure we are linked to God’s ways. Simply following the hordes down the wrong path is NOT the way to get unity. Following the right way, God’s way, is the right way.
