💖 HOMILY - OCTOBER 28 💖

Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles - Feast 

First Reading - Ephesians 2:19-22 

Gospel - Luke 6:12-19

Every home needs a foundation. Without one, even the most beautiful structure will collapse when the storms come. The same is true of our spiritual lives. We, too, need a strong foundation — one built not on pride or self-sufficiency, but on Christ Himself. Today’s readings remind us that we are not isolated individuals but living stones, built together into a dwelling place for God. The theme that emerges is “Christ, our foundation, unites us and strengthens us for His mission.”

In the first reading, Paul speaks to the Ephesians, reminding them that they are no longer strangers or outsiders but members of God’s household. Their faith in Christ has brought them into a new family — the Church — built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. In ancient architecture, the cornerstone determined the strength and alignment of the entire structure. Likewise, Christ gives unity, stability, and purpose to our lives and to the Church. Without Him, everything else falls apart. With Him, we stand firm, even amid trials.

The Gospel shows this reality coming to life in the ministry of Jesus. Before choosing His twelve apostles, Jesus spends the night in prayer. His choice is not random or impulsive; it is rooted in communion with the Father. These twelve would become the foundation stones of the Church, ordinary men called to carry an extraordinary mission — to bring healing, hope, and salvation to the world. After choosing them, Jesus begins to heal and restore those who come to Him. From Him flows divine power — power that unites, strengthens, and gives life.

Dear friends, the Church is not just an organization or a collection of individuals; it is a living body, held together by Christ, built through prayer, and called to continue His work of love. Just as the apostles were chosen and empowered, so too are we. Every believer is a living stone in God’s spiritual house — unique, necessary, and loved.

Practically, this means that our faith cannot be lived in isolation. We need one another. The Christian life grows in community, in relationships built on faith, forgiveness, and service. It also means making Christ our cornerstone — not just in words, but in daily choices. When prayer becomes our foundation, when love guides our actions, and when unity shapes our relationships, we reflect the living presence of God in the world.

Jesus is still building His Church today — not of bricks and mortar, but of hearts open to His Spirit. Each of us has a role, a place, and a purpose in this sacred structure. The question is: are we firmly grounded in Him?

Let us ask for the grace to make Christ our true foundation — to pray as He prayed, to serve as He served, and to build together as one family of faith. For when Christ is our cornerstone, no trial can shake us, no division can destroy us, and His light will continue to shine through us — drawing others into the strong, living temple of God’s love.