Lessons from The Early Christian Church: Using Our Gifts to Serve One Another and Build the Community

Rev. AndreaGrace and the BeLoved Community pray together every Sunday at 10 AM ET in a variety of ways - through word, music, meditation, visio divino and more. We learn from and pray with both the Saints (canonized) and saints (holy people) using inclusive language and images. 

These highlights from our service on May 3, 2026, the 5^th Sunday Easter Cycle A, are shared here as a resource for your prayer, reflection, and continued spiritual practice. 

Expanding Our Images of the Trinity

God Our Creator

Jesus who is Christ Alive 

The Holy Spirit – Gift-Giver

Communion of Saints

Catherine of Siena

• 

  Catherine lived 1347 – 1380 was a Dominican Tertiary, mystic and is a Doctor of the Catholic Church. 

• She received a divine commission to help heal the world and the Church. She wrote hundreds of letters to the pope, monarchs, and other powerful men, counseling them on their duties to make peace and restore unity in the Church.

• Catherine was known as an excellent cook and hostess. She often used cooking skills in her metaphors. She liked the expression “hearty love”, as one would describe a hearty breakfast or stew. An example is: “Through the incarnation of Christ, divinity and humanity were kneaded together, into a tasty loaf of bread.”

• Christ told her: “The service you cannot do for Me, you must render to your neighbors.”

Ade Bethune

Ade Bethune (1914-2002) made unique contributions to the field of sacred art & architecture and social justice as an artist, writer, and liturgical consultant. All her work stemmed from her early association with Dorothy Day and the publication of her pictures in The Catholic Worker.

Ade said “The saints are Christ. In their heroic deeds shines Christ’s example reflected and multiplied through time and space…Whether in death or in work, in word or silence, theirs is the Spirit of Christ.” Ade believed the saints show us a road to holiness in everything we do, provided we do it with love.

Music

• We have been summoned and we continue to say YES. Showing up here today is a YES. Let’s listen with our hearts to this song… The Summons and the invitations Jesus offers… 

• I AM Willing by Holly Near

• Blessing to the World by Karen Drucker

Opening Prayer

Oh Beloved God – Thank you for creating each of us in your loving image. Thank you for showing us your way through so saints and prophets- most especially through Jesus. Thank you for inviting us to follow you and to build your kin-dom here on earth. Come and stir up in us your grace. Open our minds and hearts to recognize the gifts we have and the courage to share them. Help us to encourage the gifts in those around us. Through our liturgy today, may we know your love more intimately and be transformed to share it more abundantly. In your many holy names we hope and pray and trust. Amen. 

Transformation Rite

Our Beloved God – we come to you today, recognizing that we are both human and holy. We are sorry…

• For all the times we’ve denied our gifts: Beloved God, thank You for Your mercy.

• For all the times we have not used our gifts to serve others, Jesus thank You for Your mercy.

• For all the times we have failed to grow the gifts you’ve sown in us: Holy Spirit, thank You for Your mercy.

Part of the Good News is that Jesus rose from the dead. Our sins are forgiven. God’s mercy and forgiveness endure forever. Amen.

Readings

1. Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7: Intro: Last week, we heard about the death of Stephen. Today, we’ll hear about how he was named a deacon. In the introduction to this passage, The CCL explains: The Acts reading reflects a model of governance for “ekklesia/church” in its evolution from a movement into an institution. The growing number of followers led to increased formality and organization. This process often embeds cultural “norms” of its time, not theological mandates. A division of labor between those who “preach the Word and pray”, and those who “wait on tables” (deacon), is described in this passage. Seven [people] are chosen to engage in this office of “deacon” or “table service”, ensuring equitable distribution of food. The “Twelve” engage in prayer and preaching… 

A few other things to note: 

• In today’s passage, we hear about some tension between the Hellenists who were Greek-speaking Jews and the Hebrews who were Aramaic-speaking Jews, originating in the area of Syria. Jesus spoke Aramaic. 

• There was concern about the widows – women – and how to support them!

• We’ll hear that the apostles laid hands on the deacons. Like celebrating Eucharist, laying hands on others has been passed down through the ages. We’ll formally “lay hands on one another” when we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on May 17.

2. Psalm 33 as translated in Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merrill

3. Paul's Letter to the Romans Chapter 16: Intro: We’ve spoken in the past about how the traditional lectionary that determines what Bible passages are proclaimed on which days over a 3-year cycle – is truly a “selectionary” that often omits women.  Today we’ll hear from the Letter to the Romans, chapter 16. It is never proclaimed in an institutional Catholic Church – probably because it is problematic. We hear about women deacons, apostles and house-church leaders. Let’s listen… carefully!

   
   

4. Matthew 26:6-13: Intro: In our gospel passage today, we hear about the Unnamed Woman who anoints Jesus’ body for burial. Let’s listen to what this woman did, how people responded and what Jesus says of her. 

AndreaGrace’s Reflection: 

The Catholic Comprehensive Lectionary selected three readings that all feature women in ministerial roles.  Let’s explore these a bit more:

In our first reading, we hear that the apostles invited the community to choose people to serve at the table – to meet the physical needs of the community. These became known as deacons. Scholars now know that in the original New Testament documents, in several places, there is a verb for “deaconing.” It is used to refer to Peter’s mother-in-law’s actions after Jesus healed her. It also the verb for what Martha was doing while Mary was listening to Jesus. It is important to note that Stephen and Philip are listed as selected… but not the names of the other five. Often, that implies they were women.

The passage from Romans begins with mention of Deacon Phoebe. Some Christian denominations, not the Catholic Church,  celebrate her Feast on Sept. 3. Scholars now believe that Deacon Phoebe probably helped Paul write the letter, then carried it to the Romans and read it aloud. Interestingly, today, if there is a Deacon at the Mass, he is the one who proclaims the gospel. But – we don’t hear about Deacon Phoebe at Mass. 

Then Paul mentions Priscilla and Aquila. Sometimes her name is translated as Prisca. We read about them multiple times in the New Testament and yet their names are unfamiliar to most Catholics. Usually, Priscilla’s name is listed first, implying she was more prominent. They were tent makers who were driven out of Rome for their faith in Christ. They traveled and ministered with Paul, leading house churches in Corinth and Syria. They taught Apollos who was an important evangelist in the early Church. Priscilla is referred to in the original texts as being a “presbyter” – spiritual leader. This is a married couple who led a faith community out of their home – inspirational patrons for Herb and I. Their feast day is July 8 in Catholic and Christian communities. 

Junia & Adronicus – were probably brother and sister or husband and wife. Notice – once again, Junia’s name is listed first. Paul says that they are outstanding apostles. From our reading in Acts, we know that apostles were committed to spreading the Word of God, meeting the spiritual needs of people. Today, we would call them priests. It’s interesting that in some Bibles, her name has been masculinized. Their feast day in the Catholic and Christian Churches is coming up on May 18.

Tryphena and Tryphosa – were included in the Roman Martyrology up thru 1960s – celebrated on Nov. 10. Scholars now believe that they were probably sisters from an affluent Roman family who were servants of Christ. 

They worked alongside Persis – who was probably brought as an enslaved woman from Persia. Paul says that she was a hard worker in the movement. This epitomizes Pauls’ statement elsewhere that in Christ, there are no divisions of race, culture, gender nor class. 

With Rufus, we see a family of believers. He is most likely the son of Simon the Cyrene – who helped carry Jesus’ cross. When Simon is mentioned in the Passion, he is referred to as the father of Rufus and Alexander – which implies that Rufus and Alexander were well known. Their mother, Simon’s wife, becomes an adopted mom for Paul. 

Then, we have the Unnamed Woman who anoints Jesus’ body for burial. 

It’s important to recognize the connections between sacraments and sacred moments – sacraments happening in the church and sacred moments happening outside the church. In the church, preparing a body for death is now incorporated with the anointing of the sick – a sacrament administered by a priest. Is it possible then, that this Unnamed Woman, was one of our first priests?! 

Yet - outside the church, we can help our loved ones and ourselves prepare for death. Just this week, I heard of an older woman who told her brother that it would be the last time they saw each other. He was able to honor her statement and ask others to pray for his sister. That is preparing someone for burial. Likewise, I heard of a college student who gave away his possessions and told his friends that he was going to kill himself. His friends went and told college staff. In addition to the physical seeking, staff asked people to pray. Thankfully, he was found safe.

Each of us has the opportunity – and the responsibility - to recognize when life transitions are at hand and to take proper action.

Sacraments and sacred moments. When I look at this community, we are so blessed. We have people who are dedicated to feeding others – physically and spiritually – in our own homes and in our spiritual community. We have leaders and we have followers. We have people who share their wisdom and teach others, including grandchildren. We have people who are eager to co-create and co-lead services, to proclaim the Word of God, to bake bread and share Eucharist. We have a whole bunch of people dedicated to serving Christ in a variety of informal and formal ways, sacred moments and sacraments! For that, I AM so grateful!

Prayer Exercise - Our Multiple Intelligences

One of the other ways we can build the kin-dom of God, is by understanding the gifts we have and those around us. We can then encourage each person to use her gifts to strengthen and expand our community. 

One of the tools we can use for this understanding is the Multiple Intelligences Theory. 

If we were planning a special Mass and reception and we needed volunteers, which would you prefer to do:

• Prepare and serve Eucharist – as well as the meal that follows

• Select and/or lead the music

• Select and/or proclaim the readings or help with the homily

• Coordinate the participants and volunteers

• Put together the Altar Book and collect RSVPs

• Bring in flowers or plants to help create a beautiful atmosphere

• Prepare some reflection questions to be incorporated into the service 

• Find artwork to show during the service and use in the program

Each of these represents one of the multiple intelligences or smarts. Leading up to the 1980s, Howard Gardner studied cultures around the world and found that there are 8 different types of “intelligences” or “smarts” that are valued. Each of the opportunities above corresponds to a different intelligence. 

• Coordinate the participants and volunteers is People Smarts. – other spiritual ways this is manifested: greeting one another, hospitality, reaching out to people to check-in

• Select and/or proclaim the readings or help with the homily is Word Smarts. Other spiritual ways is reading or writing spiritual books, sharing your faith in a conversation, letter or text

• Put together the Altar Book and collect RSVPs is Logic Smart. Other spiritual gifts is financial… organizing, researching, and the gift of administration like Catherine of Siena. 

• Find artwork to show during the service and use in the program is Picture Smart. Creating artwork like XXX Bethune falls into this category. 

• Bring in flowers or plants to help create a beautiful atmosphere is Nature Smart – along with picture smart. Taking a walk with Jesus, marveling at God in creation, caring for our earth and all its creatures – all falls into Nature Smart. 

• Prepare and serve Eucharist – as well as the meal that follows is Body Smart. Using our body to pray – like walking, breathing, liturgical dance or even acting falls into body smart. Creating handiwork is also body smarts.  

• Select and/or lead the music is Music Smarts. Of course, writing music is this smarts as well. 

• Prepare some reflection questions to be incorporated into the service is self smarts. It’s important to spend quiet time with our Beloved God – and to do an examen of where we reflected Christ – acted in holiness – or we failed and fell into our human tendencies. 

• When we understand these gifts in ourselves and others – we can use them more effectively and easily to share God's love and build God's kingdom.

Eucharistic Liturgy - Read our prayers here

Final Blessing: 

Blessing the Talents by Jan Richardson

There are blessings

meant for you

to hold onto

clutched

like a lifeline

carried

like a candle

for a dark way

tucked into a pocket

like a smooth stone

reminding you

that you do not

go alone.

This blessing

is not those.

This blessing

will find its form

only as you

give it away

only as you

release it

into the keeping

of another

only as you

let it

leave you

bearing the shape

the imprint

the grace

it will take

only for having

passed through

your two

particular

hands.

– Jan Richardson

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