Homily: April 9, 2024 Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter (Needy Person)

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 "There was no needy person among them."

Today’s first reading described how the early Christians lived, they shared everything, no one owned anything to their own name, and the apostles distributed everything equally among the people.

Can you imagine living in such a community, in such a society? Wouldn’t it be wonderful? Because truly, there would not be any needy person, everyone’s basic needs would be provided for.

In the first few decades after the resurrection of Jesus, there was a common belief that the second coming of Jesus would happen very soon. It is reflected in an old Aramaic prayer the people chanted regularly, “Maranatha” which means "Our Lord is coming". Because of that belief, the people did not cling on to their property or wealth. 

However, as the number of Christians increased, it must have become a herculean task for the apostles to ensure equal and fair distribution. And when they came to understand later that the second coming of the Lord was not imminent, that the equal distribution of goods did not mean equal distribution of labor, the practice of sharing everything in common did not last.

But the primary responsibility of the apostles to preach the good news of Jesus persisted while they delegated more tasks to the deacons and other community leaders.

As a priest, my ministry is to confer the sacraments, preach the word, minister to the sick and needy. But if you were to take a peek into my daily life, you would see me in countless meetings, attending unending administrative matters, fundraising and managing finances, all of which my formation to priesthood had never prepared me for. Oftentimes, I wonder if I am still living the life of a priest.

I am sure some of you who bear the heavy responsibility of your family, your work, your community will understand and empathize. Often the line that defines our job scope becomes blurred.

Do we despair? Did the apostles give up?

No. Just like the saints, we see how they lived like Christ, giving love to serve others in any way possible till the very last drop of blood, the very last breath of life.

I still wish that many such tasks which I am not competent to do, be delegated to others who are trained or talented, if they step up to offer their services, so that I can spend more time to minister better to people in need of the sacraments, but I am reminded that when we do anything for Christ, even the simplest or humblest jobs, the craziest or heaviest tasks, we give glory to God.

So, if you feel heavy laden, cling on to Christ. With the Lord in our midst, there will be no needy person. Amen.


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