The Living Stones!

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 6: 1-7; 1 Pet 2: 4-9; Jn 14: 1-12

The fifth week of Easter highlights the communal nature of the Church through the imagery of ‘living stones.’

The three readings of the day help our reflection on the Church’s nature, witness, and mission.

The first reading highlights a conflicting situation that arose in the early Christian community. The Greek-speaking disciples complain that their widows are being neglected in the daily distribution compared to Hebrew widows. The apostles respond by appointing seven men ‘filled with the Spirit and wisdom’ to attend to food distribution while they themselves will be spent on the proclamation of God’s word. While this passage shows the origin of diaconate ministry, it reflects Exodus 18, where Moses delegates leadership to capable men. 

This passage from the Acts is significant for at least two reasons. At first, through their definitive stance, the apostles ascertain that the Church cannot ignore any issue of injustice or neglect. Secondly, this passage also becomes a confirmation that charity is not secondary but essential to the life and mission of the Church. In the way it establishes the importance of almsgiving and communal care, the first reading highlights how the Church’s life is structured for charity and mission. 

In the second reading, Peter describes Christ as the ‘living stone’ chosen by God, though he was rejected by humans. Peter also describes believers as ‘living stones’ built into a spiritual house. Here, Peter introduces the idea of the priesthood of all believers. This establishes the unity, dignity, and purpose of all believers, not just the ordained clergy. In this regard, the first reading gave us the distinction that there was only a division of roles, not a rigid hierarchy within the Church, thanks to the fact that all Christians are deemed priestly by virtue of their faith and union with Christ. Reinstating the same view, Pope Francis saw hierarchy not as a structure of power or prestige but as a chain of love and service, rooted in humility and mission. Through his reassurance, Peter helps the suffering and persecuted Christians find meaning, comfort, and relevance. In Peter’s exposition, we discover that the Church’s identity is sacred and communal. 

The Gospel text presents Jesus’ farewell discourse as he comforts his disciples before his death. Here, Jesus directly speaks to their fear, grief, and anxiety. While Jesus strengthens his disciples, Thomas’ question leads Jesus to claim, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’ Jesus lets his disciples understand that he is the way to the Father. Moreover, this passage highlights the unity of the Father and the Son. Jesus came into the world carrying his Father’s presence, and his life and mission fulfilled God’s will. 

We do find this passage having rich theological and ecclesiological assertions. Jesus’ claim ‘I am the way and the truth and the life’ establishes Christ as the foundation of the Church. From the way Christ talks of his oneness with his Father, we are called to understand the nature of the Church as a community rooted in relationship with Christ. Thanks to our relationship with Christ, the Church is a continuation of his works in this world. In sum, Jesus so defines the Church that she is called to be his witnesses in the world.

The three readings offer challenging insights for our reflection and action.

1. Following the model of the early Church, we need to prioritize the justice question, as it is essential to Christian witness. The Church cannot alienate what Christ held dear to his heart. 

2. Every person and every ministry in the Church has equal dignity, rights, and purpose. The clergy and laity are called to collaborate, not to compete with each other. A shared mission strengthens Christ’s vision. 

3. Harmonizing our words and deeds is a powerful way to offer testimony to the love of Christ. The best way to imitate Christ is to proclaim his love in words and live it out in action. 

Let us pray that we may strengthen the Church through our exemplary life and mission.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar