Creating a caring society.

Creating a caring society is at the heart of Christian teaching. We believe that we should all work to bring an end to poverty, homelessness, all people should have access to health care and education. In Acts 2:43-47 we are told that the disciple of Jesus met regularly after his ascension as they prepared to fulfil the commission, he gave them. They shared their food and resource and made sure nobody went hunger or was homeless.

Mary knew she was blessed expressing this in a song, which is in Luke chapter 1:46-55, after her meeting with Elizabeth. Mary’s song also echoes the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel. The interrelationship between God’s plan for John and Jesus, already intimated by the careful parallelizing between the two announcements. They receive concrete expression in this account of the meeting of the two pregnant mothers. The formal parallel between the two infant narratives is maintained: each mother is supernaturally aware of the other’s condition.

Both women, while giving thanks for a pregnancy, are also concerned with the future of the society in which their children will grow. We all want better things for our children, a person’s love of a child can be a powerful motivator to create a better world and to act for justice. People are not just concerned about their own children but their nieces, nephews, godchild, and grandchildren. They ask what type of society do we want them to live in?

Mary’s song begins with an expression of praise. From thankfulness for what God has done for her, Mary turns to his wider activities. She dwells on three things, his power, his holiness, and his mercy. She sees herself as insignificant, but that does not matter, for the Mighty One is at work. Mary may be looking back to specific occasions in the past when God has done the things she mentions. It is perhaps more likely that she is looking forward in a spirit of prophecy and counting what God will do as so certain that it can be spoken of as accomplished.

The content of this saving intervention by God’s arm is expressed as the scattering of the proud. The proud do not fear God and are neither hungry nor afflicted, since the proud are the oppressors.  Pride and greed are two of the modern evils. It is proud thoughts that are in mind and not simple arrogant actions. There is a revolutionary note in what Mary is saying that God will fill the hungry and sending the rich away empty.

A non-Christian society is in the main an acquisitive society where each person is out to amass as much as they can get. A Christian society is a society where no person seeks to have too much while others have too little. There is loving in the Magnificat but in that loving there is dynamite Christianity that brings a revolution in each person and revolution in the world. If we want a better society that cares for all and treats people equally then everyone who believe in this should be challenging the attitudes that prevent it.

Acts 2:43–47 gives us a snapshot of the lives of the early Christian community. They spent time together, not just going to worship at the temple but at other times too. They must have learned of the needs of others in the community, and those who were able gave what they had for the needs of others. We are not being asked to give up our homes and give all our money and possessions to those in need. The early Christians did keep their homes: we are told about them meeting in them, breaking bread there. This passage and others in Acts 4 seem to be concerned with a surplus wealth: those who had land and houses gave them up for the greater good of the community.

Luke was illustrating that the non-Christian population felt a certain apprehension towards a group in whose midst supernatural events were taking place. A distinctive feature was the way in which the believers lived together and practiced some kind of joint ownership of possessions. What this means is made clearer in verse 45 where it appears that people sold their possessions so that the proceeds might be used to help the needy. They appear to be a close-knit community. Yet neither Jesus nor his apostles forbid private property for all Christians. Every Christian must make a conscientious decision before God in this matter.

It was an evangelistic church: And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being served. Those first Jerusalem Christians were not so preoccupied with learning, sharing, and worshipping, that they forgot about witnessing. Praise and proclamation were both the natural overflow of heart full of the Holy Spirit. And as their outreach was continuous, so continuously converts were being added.

A spirit filed church is a loving, caring, and sharing church. It must be acknowledged that not all Christians can afford to share their possession or make large donation. Many Christians live in poverty, others are on low incomes and struggle to feed, clothe and house themselves. Others are homeless or refugees, while some face oppression and persecution. So how can Christians help those in need? There are many organizations helping those living in poverty, or homeless or refugees. Some people can make regular donation while others are able to voluntary to help in these organizations. We see Christians and other people who care working at Food Banks, helping the homeless, fundraising for organization like Christian Aid, while others challenge politicians and community leaders to help the vulnerable in society. There are many different things we can do to help creating a caring society within our own community and in other parts of the world. All of us should look carefully at how we can do this.

Amen