A long time ago, in the summer I sat my A levels, I joined a Christian street theatre company for a few weeks. The company hailed from St Michael le Belfry, York, a church renowned for its creativity in mission. That summer, however, we were based in a well- known seaside resort in the north-west of England. Each day we performed in the town’s parks, promenade, hotels and seafront. By night we retired to the church where we lived together, in different rooms and halls. We pooled our money to buy food and refreshments; we worshipped and learned together before going out into the town. I felt like we held everything in common for those few weeks. As an 18-year-old, it was intoxicating. I get the same feeling as I read this passage in today’s reading. 

Here we see the earliest Christian community, gathering around a shared life, and the four distinct elements mentioned in verse 42: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. Everything is held in community, for the community and for others.