Some of us seem to live a life where only our needs, our wants and our expectations matter. We try to achieve wealth, fame, power, popularity and recognition for ourselves. Sometimes in our pursuit for such things, we may have become ruthless or cold in our relationship with others, and some may even resort to different forms of intimidation or tactics to eliminate the competition. "What's in it for me?" or "What do I gain from this?" are some of the questions some may ask when asked to help or offer assistance to others. But is such an attitude or way of life compatible to being a Christian? What sort of attitude or way of life should a Christian have?
In today's reading, we are told about the early Christian community and the sort of attitude and way of life they lived: "The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need." While living such a life style, way of life, or attitude may seem quite challenging these days, we need to ask ourselves: do we really care about others sincerely and with concern and charity? Or have we become so engrossed with the world and with ourselves, that the individual and individualistic ways have taken over our lives and our values? Are we united with our Christian community, or have we become loners, only thinking about ourselves and our needs?
Let us be mindful that people take notice of what it means to be a Christian by the way we witness to others in our community. May we be examples and not stumbling blocks of what it means to be Jesus' witnesses, so that others may know we are Christians by our love.
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