Is Your Faith Contagious?

~~~ Saint Catherine of Siena ~~~

~~~ Virgin and Doctor of the Church ~~~

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 4:32-37 ~~~ Psalm 93 ~~~ John 3:7b-15 ~~~

The community of believers was of one heart and mind...

This is such a foreign concept for us today.

We live in a society that places more value on the individual.

Not only functioning independently, but we strive to be unique.

We value our goal of being different.

Just think for a moment about some of our current entertainers.

Lady Gaga comes to mind right away, but there are many.

Jesus came that we might be one; one in his love and mercy.

Is it possible for us to retain our diversity
 and still be of 'one heart and mind'?

I believe the answer is 'yes'.

Being of one heart and one mind is more than
 pooling material possessions.

The unity of this community is something deeper...

something that cannot be seen.

The disposition of the heart and mind must be one with the Lord.

This oneness will then be the guiding force in our lives.

The apostles, with the power of the Spirit, were able to speak 

and act with great passion.

The passion which sprung from their faith and love for Jesus.

Their passion was contagious, thus many came to believe.

Many wanted to be a part of this community...to support
 it any way they could.

We see this even today in our various church communities and groups.

To enter into a passionate community is ultimately to be 

of one heart and mind with the other members.

Being of one heart and mind does not mean diversity 

and creativity are destined to become obsolete.

Being of one heart and mind makes for a much stronger community.

It takes a strong community to carry out the work of the Spirit.

All of the threads of a tapestry are woven together 

while retaining the unique color of each thread,

as it can be in our society today.

We are Blessed to live in a world where the possibilities are endless...

where we can have 'one heart and mind'

with one another.

~~~Peace~~~

Believing without Seeing

~~~ Acts 4: 32-35 ~~~ Psalm 118 ~~~ John 20: 19-31

The community of believers came together and formed what today we might call a commune. They lived in peace and harmony sharing and helping one another. They were of one heart and mind. (Acts 4:32b)

John addresses his letter to Beloved, because all of us who believe are truly the beloved of God. If we are to claim that title as our own then it follows that we must clothe ourselves in love. God’s love, John reminds us is in keeping the commandments. If we fervently keep the commandments we will live a faith filled life. The Spirit will come to testify in your heart.

We are in the upper room the disciples have sequestered themselves either out of fear of grief. Either way they are finding comfort and safety together.

Jesus appears standing before them...blessing them with peace...a peace that could only come from him. He repeats this blessing to be sure it is heard by each one of them. I am here to free you from this closed space. I am here to commission you...to send you out. And with that the Holy Spirit pours forth with his breath. Your breath comes from inside of your lungs. It is what keeps you living, but now the breath of the resurrected

Jesus is the Holy Spirit.

God the Father sent forth the Son to become human and now the Son sends out the Spirit to fall upon them as breath. We cannot live without taking in air...a breath...We cannot live spiritually without the breath of the Spirit in our soul. Many beautiful songs have been written to this effect.

But wouldn’t you know while this wonder is taking place one person is missing, Thomas. The others tried to tell him about this visit from Jesus, but he just could not grasp what they were saying.

A week later Jesus returns just for Thomas. Jesus cared enough to make another appearance so that Thomas could come to also believe. Thomas was valuable to Jesus. Jesus wants Thomas to believe. Come here Thomas touch the wounds in my hands and side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.

Jesus will not let one of those he loves be prevented from believing. He will come again...he will try to show you one more time.

“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

My friends, this blessing is for us...we are among those who have not seen yet believe. This blessing is for those who will come to believe in the future.

All that we have been reading these last few days has been written to help us believe with more conviction.

I believe, Lord, help my unbelief!