Seagulls

Great God, we pray this day for renewal and revival of your Spirit among us. We ask for your love and desire of community and communal care to overtake us. Be confess, first to you our failings and separations from you and full love of neighbor. We turn from selfish ways and seek to unite in generosity and love. Be with us, enabling us to serve and care for those sick or in need of any way. Bring your mighty Way to our community and this land. Spread a reverence for your wonder-working power. In the Name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Acts 5:1-11

But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.

     I don't think I will ever be able to unhear from the movie "Finding Nemo," that the seagulls are saying "Mine? Mine. Mine!" Any little morsel of food-- they are looking for, claiming, and taking. It really fits, doesn't it?! Seagulls are selfish scavengers for survival. Whoever is the loudest, biggest, and first to swoop in, gets the French fry or cracker.

     What is going on in this text is the hint of a seagull's mindset being confronted with the wholeness of community. All were of like mind. All shared together. All gave and contributed all they had and redistributed so all had enough. As we have seen time and time again, it only takes a few to ruin a good thing. 

     Let us not look on this passage only saying, "oh, wasn't it great back then." Rather, let us look to now and see what can be done to share and give. Don't pay attention to the mindset of the seagulls.