Living like the early Christian community

Acts of Apostles 2:42-47a excerpts

      They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,

to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.

     All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.

     Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God.

       These verses from the Acts of the Apostles strike me as being a good summary of our life in the past two months (on our best days!). We meet together in chapel for Liturgy of the Hours; we eat our meals with “exultation and sincerity of heart” thanks to our incredible kitchen staff.

       In the past year we’ve sold some property and the proceeds are now being used “according to each one’s need.”

       It seems that we are living the communal life as described in the Acts of the Apostles more than ever. Our circumstances may not be the same as those of the early Christians but our lifestyle mirrors theirs. Actually not much has changed at the monastery except that we are all here all the time—no outside meetings, no outside lunches or dinners, and no family gatherings. We are praying and breaking bread at home as we always have. I’m sure many families are doing the same in their own way.

       As businesses open and the stay-at-home orders are lifted let’s hope that the communal blessings continue for each of us. May we stay safe and treasure the closeness we have all experienced. May our gratitude for all our blessings and for those who are keeping us safe continue.

      God bless us everyone.

                    Sr. Nancy Kordenbrock, OSB