Acts 4: 32-37
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
How Can We Build Others Up?
St. Ignatius’s dream for the Society of Jesus was for it to be a community of believers of one heart and mind. He wrote extensively in the Constitutions of the Society on how to foster union among its members. The chief way is through a shared love of God, because once someone loves God wholeheartedly, that love descends from God and spreads to all other people as well. Love of God and others helps to combat an excessive self-love, which, in Ignatius’s mind, is the main threat to union.
In our present world which suffers so many divisions, how can we be people of unity? Barnabas gives us a wonderful example. Not only was he generous in giving of his material wealth, he also was an encourager. Can we follow his example and build others up, instead of tearing them down?
—David Kiblinger, SJ, is a deacon of the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus studying theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He will be ordained a priest this June.
Prayer
How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.
—Psalm 133