Concern for the poor: a 'mark' of the Apostolic Church: (June 2011)

The readings from the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter season tell the story of the emerging Church. Transformed and energised by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter and the Apostles begin boldly to preach to the citizens of Jerusalem.

The number of converts grows to form the first Christian community. St Luke paints a charming picture which identifies the key qualities of the early community:-

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 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 spend 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". (Acts 2: 42-47)

Fr Perry Gildea - Vincentian Fathers

Cliftonville Road, Belfast 15

These qualities were; fidelity to the teaching of the Apostles (the Kerygma), fellowship (koinonia), the Eurcharist (the breaking of bread), prayers and finally sharing their possessions with each other. St Luke later describes how some would sell their property to create a common 'sharing fund'. (Acts 4:32)

As the story unfolds, this little community arouses the animosity of the traditional religious and civil authorities as Christ himself had done. Thus begins a period of harassment and persecution which only has the effect of strengthening the resolve of the young community.

As the community continues to grow in strength it faces its first crisis. There appears to have been an unequal distribution of aid to the needy. The Apostle's solution is to appoint seven deacons to be responsible for the equal distribution of the food aid. (Acts 6: 1-4) Deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia which means 'dedicated service'.

The community continues to grow and spreads away from Jerusalem and slowly becomes aware that the saving acts of Christ are for everyone. This becomes a source of friction and even division. At this time Jerusalem remains the centre of the Christian family and St Paul, who works among mixed communities containing many gentile or non-Jewish converts, finds his approach being questioned or even opposed.

The key issue being Paul's conviction that Gentile converts did not have to become subject to Jewish law. He is forced to go to Jerusalem to make his point with the leaders there. After what seems to have been a lively debate, and is often called 'the council of Jerusalem', agreement is reached.

"and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognised the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to be circumcised. They asked only one thing, which was actually what I was eager to do". (Galatians 2: 7-10)

Along with the fidelity to the teaching of the Apostles, the Eucharist and prayers, concern for the poor was a key element of the early Church and always be a 'mark' of the Church. St Paul also makes concern for the poor an essential condition for proper participation in the Eucharist. (1 Cor. 11: 17-33)

Fr Perry (June 2011)

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