A Grim Tale (Ananias and Sapphira)

This week’s First Reading describes the communal life in the Early Church:

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. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. – Acts 4:32-35

Immediately after this extract we read in Acts of the Apostles the contrasting story of Ananias and Sapphira. I posted a link to this video in my Lectionary Notes, but I thought I’d post it again just in case people didn’t see it: