Riccardi

January 1994 Commetary on the Word of Life: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32) With these words, the author of the Acts of the Apostles offers us a sketch of the first Christian community of Jerusalem (see also 2:42; 5:12-16). That community was characterized by remarkable freshness and spiritual dynamism, by prayer and example — above all, by a great unity, which Jesus wanted to be the unmistakable sign and source of fruitfulness for his Church. The Holy Spirit, given in baptism to all those who welcome the words of Jesus, is the spirit of love and unity. He therefore made all the believers one with the risen Lord and with one another, overcoming differences in race, culture and social class. “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything

From Chiara’s Diary The virginity pleasing to God does not lie only in physical virginity, but in that spiritual attitude that is “inexistence” for oneself, where we are all always for God. It is the transparency of Mary who never thought of herself but only of God, Christ and the Church, the mystical Body of Christ. The virginity which pleases God is synonymous with love, which burns like fire. Love that is participation in the divine life of God who is Love; God who manifests His divine virginity in his intimate life of perfect reciprocal self-giving.The virgin is he or she who goes ahead without any supports, only with God. It is he or she who finds strength in not having any supports, because God intervenes to assist and strengthen when a soul fully trusts solely in Him.If the Scripture phrase, "Diis estis" (“You are gods”) can be suitably applied to any state of life, this above all holds true for the virgin who is at the service of the Kingdom