Scripture:
Acts 4:32-35
1 John 5:1-6
John 20:19-31
Reflection:
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. -Acts 4:34-35
My all-time favorite song is “To Dream the Impossible Dream” from the 1965 Broadway Hit Musical, “The Man of La Mancha” which tells of a man who sees the world differently than most of his contemporaries. Relatedly, reading the Book “Don Quixote” (1605) by Miguel de Cervantes as a college student is the first classic I remember reading and thoroughly enjoying, even laughing out loud in the library where I often studied.
Growing up on the northwest corner of Chicago in the early 1950’s my mother decided we needed our own “summer home”. She talked my hard-working father into believing this was a good idea. I believe their ultimately realized dream, leading to building, and owning a second residence, did more for bringing our family of six children, soon to be seven, together than any other experience that we shared as a family. It also has served as the cement that sixty to seventy years later, continues keeping us together, loving and supporting each other.
Jesus, your followers as witnessed in the above scripture, were willing to dream and take you seriously (Go, sell all that you have and come, follow me) as many professed religious and lay people do today, living life supporting each other in every way. Often, you and today’s dreamers and doers are marginalized and ridiculed. Thank you for their witness and help me today to continue to dream and follow yours and their examples, no matter what the cost.
Dan O’Donnell is a Passionist Partner and a longtime friend of the Passionists. He lives in Chicago.