By Bruce Smith
While we were back in New York we spent some time with a friend who, some years ago, delivered a memorable homily titled “Enough.” In that mini-sermon Judy raised the question of what is enough, especially for those of us striving to live the Christian life. As I remember, she didn’t harangue us with what we should be doing but, instead, asked us to ponder just what is truly “enough.” In a society focused on getting more, what is enough for those of us striving to live the Christian life? Should we be sacrificing or living simply enough to only consume our fair share. Since our meeting, that question has been bouncing around in my mind and raised a thought to share this week.
It reminded me of a Scripture passage that always impressed me and made me a bit uneasy. Acts 4:32-34. “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything that had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. From time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” Wow!! That is really making a change in what is viewed as enough! While this sort of sharing did not continue in the Biblical narrative or subsequent history with any frequency, it does stand out as in inspired ideal of what our lives as Christians might be. At the least, it provides a challenge.
Personally, I get a little whipsawed by these thoughts. Having been in touch with those in need here and elsewhere, I’m sometimes embarrassed by what I have and, of course, that next “classic” car that always intrigues me. The good news is that these thoughts also prod me to be more open-handed and to do what I can to help. Chatting with Judy reminded me that our review of our personal “enough” should be ongoing. Like many aspects of our faith, there is a tension between the ideal and what “reality” seems to require. And always there is that passage in Acts to prod us!
We’re also regularly challenged by our awareness of those for whom enough is an ongoing challenge. As we look at our own community with food insecurity, homelessness, RV camping etc. we realize that what seems like adequate for us is wishful thinking for our neighbors. I’ve been impressed and uplifted by the many examples of people taking the steps to share time, talent, and money to fill the gaps. Few are as dramatic as the Acts passage but there is much good being done in our community and around the world.
So, the question comes back to each of us as to what is our “enough” and what to share. I don’t answer it in the same way as St. Francis but I hope that I can do a bit to move us a little closer to the Acts ideal. And the good news is that with each of us doing our part makes a difference. Given the millions of Christians over the centuries, those early disciples would be amazed to see what they inspired. And those millions are quite a crowd that we can join!