Reach Out

A Reflection on the First Reading for April 19th, 2020:
​Divine Mercy Sunday

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Acts 2.42-47

They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the Apostles.

All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread in various houses and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

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If one thing is clear in our current climate, it is that living for ourselves—independence—is no way to live, especially if we consciously choose it. How does it make us feel when we think of those who are unnecessarily withholding necessary goods that the vulnerable need? How would it make us feel if all grocery clerks, public transport drivers, cleaners, EMTs, nurses, and doctors took a step back and washed their hands of the person in front of them because they were potentially contagious? I suspect we would feel a bit desperate, angry, and insecure.


I spent a great deal of time over the years, standing on my “one woman island,” priding myself on not needing anyone. As I think back, if I was still that woman today, I would find myself in overwhelming need. Desperate, angry, and insecure, are words that pretty much sum up my isolated existence at that time.


As I look around at the expressions of charity and joy in those who are making a way forward in this time of seemingly moving backward, I see more clearly than ever: these are the people who understand that we aren’t meant to live for ourselves. We were always meant to live for the other. These are the people who find purpose in prayer and corporal works of mercy. These are the people already living within a community and reaching out beyond that community--from that community. These are the people who draw strength and purpose from one another; not from living independently but interdependently. And Jesus, whether this is an acknowledged truth or not, is the very nucleus of these movements.


“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”


Just as it was with the Apostles and their growing following, these purposeful people are operating out of a greater Goodness. The Apostles were performing great “wonders and signs” regardless of the impending danger. Theirs were acts of Goodness; healing acts; loving acts; acts that signal the presence of the person of Jesus. They believed in Jesus, and so they acted like Him. And when people “act” in these Good ways, we quickly grow to trust and admire them. We want to be near them, to listen to them, to become like them—or rather, to become like Him, the nucleus; that from which all good things grow.


According to Google dictionary, the nucleus is “the central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth.” Jesus came back from the dead to show us that we can trust His Word, His good deeds, His presence, and His desire to be the central Good out of which we operate, for the love of all His children.


He is risen! May He continue to rise within us, nurturing our interdependence and encouraging us to reach out, not in.




Lori MacDonald

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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