Our Mission is Christ Himself
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May 4, 2026In the first reading from Acts, the number of disciples is increasing, but growth brings tension. The Greek-speaking widows are being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The Apostles do not ignore the problem. They gather the community, name the need, and choose seven men “filled with the Spirit and wisdom” to serve. In the second reading, Saint Peter describes the Church as “living stones,” being built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, and a people called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light. In the Gospel, Jesus says to His disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
Taken together, these readings teach us something very important: before the Church can know what to do or how to do it, she must remember why she exists.
That may sound simple, but it is easy to forget. In parish life, as in family life, work life, and community life, we often begin with practical questions. What needs to be done? How will we pay for it? Who will organize it? What schedule will work? How can we fix this problem? These are necessary questions. The Apostles themselves had to deal with food distribution, fairness, personnel, and organization. The Church has never been too spiritual to deal with practical needs.
But the first reading shows us that practical decisions become fruitful only when they are connected to a deeper purpose. The Apostles do not say, “This problem is beneath us.” They also do not abandon prayer and the preaching of the Word in order to manage every detail themselves. Instead, they define the mission clearly. The Church must remain faithful to prayer, the ministry of the Word, and the service of those in need. Because the “why” is clear, the “what” and the “how” can be aligned.
That is worth remembering: good structure serves mission. The seven men are chosen not simply to fill slots, but to serve the unity, charity, and growth of the Church. Their service protects the dignity of the widows, strengthens trust in the community, and allows the Word of God to continue spreading.
Saint Peter takes this even deeper. He tells us that we are “living stones.” A stone by itself may be strong, but it becomes part of something greater when it is placed into a building. So it is with us. Each parishioner, each ministry, each church community, and each act of service is significant. But we are not meant to remain isolated stones. We are being built together into a spiritual house.
That image is especially important for us as St. Michael Parish. We are one parish made up of six church communities, with different histories, different buildings, different local customs, and different needs. It is easy to begin with the practical questions: what happens at this church, how decisions are made, what changes, what stays the same. Those questions matter. But the deeper question is: why?
Saint Peter gives the answer: so that we may “announce the praises” of the One who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. We are not here merely to maintain buildings, preserve schedules, or keep programs running. We are here to become a people who worship God, serve one another, form disciples, care for the vulnerable, and bear witness to Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus gives us the deepest “why” of all. “I am the way and the truth and the life.” The Church’s mission is not an idea, a slogan, or a strategic plan. Our mission is Christ Himself. He is the way we walk, the truth we proclaim, and the life we share. When we lose sight of Him, even good activity becomes scattered. When we keep our eyes fixed on Him, even difficult decisions can become part of the work of grace.
So this week, perhaps each of us can ask: Why do I serve? Why do I come to Mass? Why do I belong to this parish? The answer is not simply duty, habit, or preference. The answer is Jesus Christ. He has called us out of darkness. He is building us into one spiritual house. He is sending us to announce His light. May the Lord help us remember our “why,” so that everything we do may lead more people to the Father through Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.