Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 268

There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the Apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.

 S aint Luke twice describes that halcyon moment when everything was right about the nascent Church as it took root in Jerusalem and began its destined spread throughout the world. The other snapshot appears earlier in the Acts of the Apostles, (2:44-47):

All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

As the Wise Old One said, "Being in love is the happiest ten minutes of your life."  

We can hope that our newly baptized members, after several months of fellowship, prayer, and study with the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) will remember the experience of preparation and the rites of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation with delight. 

We should not be disappointed that such moments do not last long and are impossible to recreate. We can neither return to Jerusalem nor turn back the clock. It was good while it lasted, but we eventually must know that there were things going on in the dark depths of our souls that might be forgotten but could not be ignored. We've only just begun.

The virtue and Sacrament of Penance helps us to recognize the rebellious patterns and unresolved conflicts that remain and reappear throughout our lives. Much improvement comes with age, but that's because we don't have that much energy anymore. And our tastes have changed in the meanwhile. We can be glad the Lord brought us through the worst moments, and that we learned compassion for other sinners through the processes of remorse, regret, apology, and atonement. 

With grace we learn a sense of humor. As a hospital chaplain, I often used to tell the Veterans in addiction rehab, "If you turn forty years of age and haven't messed up big time yet, you ain't even trying!" 

We suffer our sins, sins done to us, and sins we see and cannot prevent. We do not forget but we thank God and celebrate His victory over sin and death. 

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,

honor and glory and blessing.”

(Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:)

“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor, glory and might,

forever and ever.”