Reflection on readings for April 11th

Our first reading for this weekend begins with the words, “The community of believers was of one heart and mind.” Many would comment that this is exaggerating the positive state of the community. Another view is that is this is a very accurate description. Remembering that the community was relatively small by our standards, it is likely that the people, when they gathered, were intently and consciously focused on talking about Jesus. People engaged in this type of sharing would have been very vulnerable with each other. Sharing faith experiences involves risk and trust. The more people develop those virtues, the more likely they would be bonded ever more fully as people whose lives and values emanated from the type of sharing and celebrating that took place. Any group of people is capable of this type of bonding.