JESUS, THE LIVING STONE

V EASTER SUNDAY - 1 Peter 2:4-9

Speaking of Jesus Christ, the apostle Peter tells us that He is “the living stone”, “chosen by God and precious to him”. Despite being rejected by men, there will be no building that may last but the one built upon this stone. He is the cornerstone that becomes a stumbling block that will bring down all those who refuse to believe in Him. Thus, Peter invites us to become living stones in communion with Him. The Church is the “spiritual house”, built upon Christ, that is to be our home. In Christ, we become “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God”.

In the gospel, Jesus presents himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:1-12). Through him, we come to the Father, and we must realise that “He is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). Thus, when we see him, we see the Father. In communion with Him, we are in communion with the Father.

In the first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:1-7), we see the struggle of the Early Church to live out that communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Since the beginning, the Church has had a social dimension, paying attention to the most vulnerable, looking after the widows. However, being human, the good intentions become easily tainted by selfish interests. And signs of discrimination on a tribal basis appeared: "The Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked.”

In an attempt to solve the problem, the apostles “called a full meeting of the disciples”. Indeed, matters affecting the Church are matters that must be the concern of all. The apostles made it clear that they should concentrate on the proclamation of the word of God. That is their ministry: they must be at the service of the word, accompanied by prayer. The community must take responsibility for other matters. Thus, it was decided to create a new ministry – the ministry of deacons – to be at the service of the community and its needs. As the Church grows, all members must be actively involved in the search for solutions to the arising problems and involved as well in the actual service of the community. That is what nowadays is called the synodal dimension of the Church. However, to the apostles belongs the great duty of giving witness to Jesus Christ and dedicating themselves to the proclamation of the word and to worship.