Living Stones
There are some verses in the Scripture readings for this Sunday that especially keep me humble. At the end of our first reading (Acts 6:1-7), Luke describes the growth of the early Christian community: “The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests (italics mine) were becoming obedient to the faith.” I am reminded that being a priest does not make me immune to sin.
In our Gospel reading (John 14:1-12), after Jesus explains to the apostles that He is “the way and the truth and the life,” Philip says,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replies, “Have I been with you for so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? … The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.”
Again, being a religious priest does not mean that I do not have more to learn and understand about being a disciple of Christ.
No matter where we are on our spiritual journey, we are all called to grow closer to God in Jesus Christ. We are all called to grow in holiness. But we cannot do this on our own – Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In Him we receive what we need to follow His commandment to love as He loves. But we need not let our hearts be troubled. Jesus has prepared a place for us. In the words of our second reading (1 Peter 2:4-9), Jesus has called us “out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
And so, again in the words of our second reading, we, as “living stones,” are called to let ourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to god through Jesus Christ.” This is not always easy. In our reading from Acts, seven deacons are commissioned by the apostles. Why? Because the widows of those who were Palestinian Jews who only spoke Greek, the “Hellenists,” were being neglected “in the daily distribution.” Once again, prejudice reared its ugly head, even in the church Our call to holiness leads us to reject the ways of the world in how we treat each other.
We are called, then, to follow Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We are called to come together as “living stones” to offer “spiritual sacrifices,” not only in our liturgies and worship, but in our responding to the needs of others. We are called to work for justice for all those in need, and to continue to do the works of Jesus, of healing and reconciliation, of love and mercy and compassion. May we not give in to the darkness of hate and fear. But put our trust in the love of God in Jesus Christ, who has prepared a place for us to be with Him forever.
I welcome any comments or questions. Thanks for your time.
In the Risen Christ,
Phil, C.P.
