The heart and the soul
of the multitude
of those who had come to believe
were one,
and no one was saying
that any of their belongings
were there own,
but everything was held in common.
With great power
the apostles were giving witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus;
great grace was upon them all.
For there was no one needy among them.
For whoever was an owner of fields
or houses
was selling them
and brought the proceeds of the sales
to the feet of the apostles
(the proceeds) were distributed to each as who had need.
So Joseph,
called Barnabas by the apostles
which translated is ‘son of encouragement’,
a Levite,
a native of Cyprus,
having sold a field belonging to him
brought the money
and placed it at the feet of the apostles.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy,
For your mercy and for your truth’s sake. Amen