Acts 2:42-47 describes the society that God calls us to build in this world. Through the acts of fellowship, teaching, praying and sharing food, this new community is intimately aware of the needs of its members both locally and globally. This fledgling group, empowered by the Holy Spirit and equipped with their Jewish traditions of justice, righteousness and shalom, sells all of their wealth and distributes the proceeds “as any had need” (verse 46).  Our LGBT communities have inspired the wider society by uniting and generously sharing resources in response to the HIV/AIDS struggle. At such times when we pull together, we taste the mysterious joy of the early community described in Acts. The ones who believed in the mission continued this practice with “glad and generous hearts” (verse 46) as they continued to break bread together. News of this spread like wildfire and others joined in (verse 47). 

	Imagine being part of a group so unified in mission and spirit that it is constantly joyful even while sharing possessions.  How does our community co-create this type of community both within and beyond it?

Many shared meals and trips to the Temple in Jerusalem where they interacted with the wider community provided empowerment for this community to act. Perhaps wandering into the city, witnessing suffering, and sharing meals and prayers provided a sacred space for the Spirit to act and move the community toward justice. Those of us who live in relatively wealthy nations are tempted by materialism and radical individualism every day.  Yet as LGBT people, we have experienced being disenfranchised. This Bible passage challenges us to be generous in pooling resources for the common good. Ironically, the joy is not in acquiring an abundance of toys but in sharing them!

Psalm 23 reminds us that we are safe and beloved exactly as we are right now. God watches over us, guides us and provides every single thing we need. “God is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (verse 1). What great news this is for those of us who have been told we are defective, we need to be straightened out or we are outside of God’s love! The psalm promises the community that no matter how difficult times are, God is present to lead and to provide support even in the valley of deep darkness. The psalm also reminds us that God provides abundantly for all creation. We do not have to hoard wealth for a rainy day at the expense of the global community when we put our trust in God. Nevertheless, some are unjustly denied their daily bread. Often this is the result of the greed by those in power, many of whom would consider themselves to be Christian. God prepares a table of abundance for everyone. It is the responsibility of a just and healthy community to make certain that all are served and, perhaps, even share the table with our enemies.

	What activities or practices help you rest in joy and assurance that you are safe and well loved by God?  How can you make more time for those experiences?

John 10:1-10 is addressed to the Christian community and appears, at first glance, quite exclusive. Gates and blockades are all too familiar for those who have been closed out of the community because they did not reflect its dominant teachings, among other things, on sexuality, gender and race.

	When have you felt gated out of the community of faith? When have you shut the gate on someone?

There is good news.  Church bodies, church leaders or television evangelists do not ultimately decide who is “in” and “out” of the Christian community. If we are honest we too have opinions about who should and should not be allowed into our faith community. By blocking people out, we run the risk of being exclusive. However, there are times when those who are hurtful and death-affirming need to be excluded for the sake of the community’s health. For Christians, the only one authorized to ultimately decide who may enter the gate and join the others is Jesus the Christ. The “thief” (verse 10: the violent and intolerant one, or those who spew hate, those who threaten the health of the people of Christ) might jump the fence but should be shunned so that the work of co-creating healthy and just communities can continue. Jesus promises life in abundance, even for reformed thieves!