As we gather here today, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in this Easter season. You may notice something unique about our liturgy during these fifty days: we have set aside the shadows of the Old Testament to dwell fully within the Acts of the Apostles. This is a deliberate and ancient teaching of the Church Fathers. We do not look backward at what was promised; we look at the radiance of the New Covenant in action. We are no longer merely awaiting a Savior—we are living the reality of the Resurrected Christ!

In our first reading today, we encounter the “story behind the story.” We see the early Church experiencing growing pains. Historically, this moment marks the birth of the Diaconate. The Apostles recognized that for the “ministry of the Word” to reach its full power, the “ministry of the table” had to be handled with justice and charity. In our Dominican tradition of Veritas, we understand this vital principle: for the Truth to be preached effectively, the community must first be ordered in love. This is our mission in San Antonio. We serve the marginalized and care for one another not as a distraction from the Word, but so that the Word may flourish.

St. Peter gives us the blueprint for this mission by calling us “living stones.” In the ancient world, the Akrogoniaios—the Cornerstone—was the master reference point. It was the very first stone set, and every other stone in the building was measured against its height and its angle. If a single stone was not perfectly aligned with that cornerstone, the entire structure would eventually crumble.

The teaching for us today is profound: we are not solitary rocks scattered in a field. We are a “royal priesthood” being fashioned into a spiritual temple. This reflects our charism of Community. Our individual study, our private prayers, and our personal sacrifices are all meant to serve the building of the whole. As we prepare for transitions in the coming weeks, let us remember that the strength of the church does not rest on any one person, but on our collective alignment with the Savior. We are the architecture of God’s grace, and we must stand square with Him.

Finally, we hear the heart of the Gospel. Imagine the atmosphere of that Last Supper—it was intimate yet filled with the heavy fog of anxiety. Despite three years of miracles, the Apostles were still looking for a political map or a physical destination to ease their fear. To this, Jesus gives the definitive answer: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

He shifts our focus from a “where” to a “Who.” Our call to action today is to move from a troubled heart to a trusting spirit. As a parish family, we are called to be the path through which others encounter the Father. We must not be content to be mere spectators of the faith. We are called to be active architects of the Spirit.

Let us leave this sacred space today resolved to align every corner of our lives with Christ. Let our thoughts be squared to His Truth, our words be measured by His love, and our service be built upon His sacrifice. Whether we are gathered here for the Holy Mass or scattered into the streets of our city as the hands and feet of the Savior, remember your identity: you are a chosen race.

Do not let your hearts be troubled by the shifts and shadows of this world. Stand firm as living stones. Let our lives be the only Gospel that some may ever read and let our community be the sanctuary where the weary finally find their rest.