community resources

I love the readings during the Easter season, in particular those from the Acts of the Apostles. For example, today's first reading describes how the community organized themselves in the early days ...

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the Apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
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.

Whenever I've tried to explain how resources are shared in my religious community, more times than not if the person I'm trying to explain it to starts to get it, a light bulb goes off and they say something like, "Oh, it's like communism."

No, really it's more like trying to live out in today's world what the early church was trying to do in the days following the resurrection. Although the line of things "being distributed to each according to need" does sound like a certain line from a certain political thinker. ;)

Having been around for a while now, my rose colored glasses have had a few tint changes. People are people, and just like the early church wasn't able to keep this up, it's hard to live life day in and day out in community with "one heart and mind." But the intention seems to be there, and that's what really matters.