Roots

Acts 2:41-47

          The stories of the early church are quite fascinating. Some of the messages are not from the preaching but from what was happening, the descriptions of their daily living.

          Anyone with a grain of sense can see that what the apostles were living in was a commune. There was communal living, sharing based on need and all things were disposed of for the greater good. It almost sounds like socialism or communism. I know Jesus is a radical but this is heady stuff to read. For those ultra conservatives Christians who insist this is a 'Christian country', beware. The Acts of the Apostles may come back and bite you in the ass.

          Another point that I find great comfort in is the  'breaking of bread at home'. The first churches were based around the home, actually, in the home.  It is only as the church got larger that such worship became impractical.  Home Masses were common after Vatican two as we explored new forms of worship and worship that emulated the early church. Getting back to our roots so to speak.  It was only after the hierarchy realized there was a lack of control in such settings that the idea of home Mass was nixed. It is interesting to note that in many developing countries the concept of "small Christian Communities" has taken root, basically churches in peoples homes. This same concept of SCC's has become a source of renewal in parishes in many developed countries where people meet in homes to pray, read scripture and have fellowship while returning to the larger church community for Mass. This seems less threatening to the hierarchy and it affords sometime large communities of thousands of families to have a sense of togetherness for those that take part.

            If we are to grow in our faith and if the church is to survive, it must return to its roots. That leaves a message left by a social revolutionary who died on the cross for us and left the message of love and peace. It is not a message of smaller but pure, self righteousness, hypocrisy or money.

           Let's all get back to our roots, not rules but by love and social engagement. 

So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 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.