Listen

The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

Think

After a break where we can sleep in and enjoy vacation, the routine hustle and bustle of getting up, getting ready, and leaving for school returns. For some people, this is a source of joy. For others, it can be an overwhelming feeling of stress. However, there is something important to remember. Matthew 6:34b reminds us that “each day has enough trouble of its own.” The community in Acts did so many things. All these activities must have been added to lives already full of tasks and responsibilities.

How could this Christian community do all these other things? The community turned the apostles’ teaching into action and made the necessary time. In the midst of all the tasks, they took time to share what they had and to eat as a group, cultivating friendship and mutual support. The invitation, then, is to be intentional about making time for these things in your life. Putting your focus on helping other people will give you perspective in overwhelming times. Having a community of faith will give you the support you need to move forward.

Marissa Galván-Valle

Question to Ponder:

In what ways can I intentionally make time in my daily tasks and responsibilities to help others and strengthen my bonds with people who are part of my family, circle of friends, and faith community?

Pray

God of faithfulness, you created a family when you called the church through the teaching of the apostles. Help me to make time to be in that family and to learn from it to serve others around me.

Amen.

Go

Always return to your point of origin: God. Inhale for a count of four. Hold that air inside your being for four seconds. Exhale for a count of four. Every time you breathe, remember that God is in every breath.