The first reading for this Second Sunday of Easter from St. Paul, is very appropriate for us during this time of pandemic. “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 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.”
No matter if we are staying at home or wandering about, let’s be reminded what our common call as baptized children of God is, and that is to serve God by serving one another. We should be devoting ourselves more to the teaching of God and the apostles by reading the scriptures and finding ways to pray at home. We should be devoting more of our time to communal life, by praying less for ourselves and more for others and also letting them know of our thoughts and prayers. When we break bread in our homes, sharing fellowship with whomever we are blessed to share a meal with these days, we should remember the food that our God has given us in the Word and in the Eucharist, and be mindful of what we call ‘table fellowship’.
Our world needs to see and be in awe at the many wonders we are doing in the name of Jesus and the signs we are giving to others that we believe in Christ and our call to serve. We are together in spirit, and we share what we have — not hoarding toilet paper or cleaning supplies, but cutting back in our consumption and trying to make use of what we have in solidarity with those who have not.
Every meal should be eaten in exultation and sincerity of heart, because it is a meal and it could be our last. It all is a gift.
This time of isolation should not be a time of desolation, but a time of consolation. This should be a time of great blessing for marriages and families. It is an opportunity to spend more time with those entrusted to us and to form stronger bonds with them through fun and prayer, and table fellowship and time. Avoid the selfishness and the overindulgence of our devices and talk to one another.
Easter joy, when experienced and shared, will allow the Lord to work through us to add to the number of those being saved. Happy Easter!!!