We Are Called Living Stones
Dear Parishioners,
Following the resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, the once-frightened apostles and devoted followers of Jesus embarked on the mission of building up the early Church, guided by the mandate they had received. With this mission in their hearts, no stone was left unturned. The early Church grew not only in number but also in diversity. Yet, this growth was not spared the pains and challenges associated with human organization.
Reflecting on the foundation of this new beginning, the Apostle Peter describes the Church as a spiritual building made of living stones, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone. Christ is the Church’s sole foundation because He alone is God’s full revelation, remaining forever, in the words of the Gospel, our way, our truth, and our life.
We are called living stones because we are united with this irreplaceable foundation, Christ the Lord. We “live” because the life that binds Him to the Father also reaches us. As living stones, we are actively involved in ministry.
In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see a call to shared responsibility and a movement away from a top-heavy structure of authority. It recounts the emergence of diverse forms of service within the Church and highlights the challenges of bringing together people from different backgrounds, challenges that often reveal human selfishness and a lack of genuine love.
Diversity invites us to confront differences in culture, food, language, social status, and socio-political views, all of which influence how people believe and worship. In the reading, the widows of the Greek-speaking members complained of discrimination and neglect in the distribution of daily provisions. In response, the apostles consulted the community and appointed seven men of good reputation deacons to ensure that the needs of all were met without discrimination or neglect.
This action further illustrates the spiritual structure of the Church: as living stones, we each have different ministries, all contributing to the well-being of the community. As Rev. Roland Faley reminds us, “The Christian life is not limited to contemplation. Those who see the Father in Christ meet that same Christ in the faces of the poor and needy. Living stones are then transformed into precious jewels.”
With the wide variety of outreach ministries in the Church today, we are all called to serve one another. Our service cannot be limited only to those who are like us or agree with us. Rather, we are called to serve the entire community without discrimination. This ministry of service includes accompanying immigrants, assisting the dying, caring for the sick, educating the unlettered, providing healthcare for the poor, and always standing on the side of peace.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
