FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
(Acts 6:1–7; 1 Peter 2:4–9; John 14:1–12)
Each year during the seven weeks of Easter, we hear passages
from the Acts of the Apostles. This biblical book narrates the development of
the early Christian community in Jerusalem and shows how the Holy Spirit
promotes the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. The reading we hear
today recounts how the community overcomes a problem inherent in every human
organization.
Administrative problems appear in organizations as small as
the family and as large as the national government. It is inevitable that, at
some point, those responsible for administration will overlook someone’s need
or have disagreements among themselves. The early Christian community is no
exception. But it is exceptional in that it resolves the problem without
resentment (at least as recorded in Acts) and with dependence on God.
Believers follow Jesus by holding close to their hearts
certain principles regarding the disposition of material resources. First, no
one should be in need. Clearly, the concern here is for the poor. Second,
everyone should place their goods at the service of the community. This
principle challenges especially the well to do. Typically, they have worked
hard to obtain their possessions and do not want to see them wasted. And third,
the apostles should distribute goods from the community dispensary according to
each person’s need.
However, as the community experiences rapid growth, the
apostles are unable to meet the increasing demand. The reading tells us that
the widows of the Greek-speaking group are lacking food. They are Jews of the
diaspora, who settled in Jerusalem and converted to Jesus. They turn to the
apostles for help in sustaining themselves. But, being devoted to preaching,
the apostles cannot meet their needs. For this reason, they must find another
way to care for the widows.
Their procedure is instructive. Rather than viewing the
problem as political, the apostles address it as administrative. That is, they
do not dwell on why it is the “Greek widows” who are in need. Instead, they
propose a solution that may cost them influence but will, in the long run,
benefit everyone. They call the community together to select seven men who can
serve as administrators of the communal pantry.
Three qualities are proposed for selecting the seven. Each
must be a man of good reputation so that people can trust him. He must be
filled with the Holy Spirit in order to guide others in ways of justice.
Finally, he must have prudence to manage the common resources. Then the
apostles lay hands on them to invoke the Spirit, who grants them the authority
to carry out their new ministry.
We might ask how the Holy Spirit comes to the seven. Today’s
Gospel gives us the key to understanding the transmission of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus says that he goes to prepare a place for his disciples in his Father’s
house. We often think of God’s house as being in some heaven beyond the stars.
But at the beginning of this Gospel, Jesus associates his Father’s house with
his own body. Jesus prepares a place for us in his Father’s house by giving
himself over to be crucified and rising from the dead. Baptized into this
Paschal mystery, we become members of the Body of Christ, the house of the
Father where the Holy Spirit dwells.
The presence of the Holy Spirit within us gives us a new
life of grace to live in this world with eternal life as our goal. The seven
receive a double portion of the Spirit for their ministry of attending to the
physical needs of the people.
We are approaching Pentecost, the feast of the Holy Spirit.
More than celebrating the “birthday of the Church,” it is a time to reflect on
how the Holy Spirit is guiding us and to ask for the gifts needed to do His
will. He will not fail us. He must renew the face of the earth, and He wants us
to help Him in this task.
