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Today's reading in Acts sounds...

Illustration
Second Sunday of Easter - B
Acts 4:32-35
Today's reading in Acts sounds like a wonderful dream, and at the same time it sounds like what was once America's worst fear: communism. Living in harmony, none poor or rich, all in equality -- living in communion with one another. We share communion with one another Sunday mornings. Why wouldn't it work to live in communion, as well? It's a beautiful dream, but not all dreams translate well in reality. We could begin a commune together, but would that further God's plan for us? We can shut ourselves away from the world to live in harmony, but the rest of the world doesn't go away.
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Contents
“Breaking Jesus’ Heart” by John Sumwalt
“Wade In the Water” by Frank Ramirez


Breaking Jesus’ Heart
by John Sumwalt
Psalm 22:23-31

For he did not despise or abhor
    the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
    but heard when I cried to him. (Psalm 22:24)

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The next Barbie doll in line was instantly alert. There were five different Barbie dolls, who lived jumbled together in the toy cupboard but who were so jealous of each other that they rarely spoke. "Seen what?" asked the second Barbie doll, blue eyes darting all round the room.

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BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Genesis 17:1--7, 15--16 (C)
John W. Clarke
These verses from Mark's gospel are a call to commitment, a call to sacrifice, and a call to give up everything of earthly value in life. To say these are difficult verses is truly an understatement. It is pretty clear that the disciples are not at all ready for what Jesus is saying. They are not ready for Jesus to die and they certainly are not ready to die themselves.

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