Christian Life Is Lived Beyond Church Walls, Not Confined Within Them, Says Sri Lankan Prelate

Speaking at the 124th Vespers Service of St. Sebastian’s Church, Kalamulla, in the western part of Sri Lanka, Bishop Jude Nishantha Silva of Badulla emphasized that the essence of Christian life is not found within church walls, but in how believers live their faith amid society and the routines of daily life.

Reflecting on the Gospel account of the calling of the first disciples, the Bishop drew attention to a striking detail in Jesus’ ministry.

The Symbolism of the Boat

The Bishop noted that when Jesus preached and called His disciples, He did not enter the Temple but chose to step into a boat.

“The boat is a symbol of the people’s everyday life. It represents their economic, social, and cultural realities. A boat also moves; it is not stationary. Christian life, therefore, exists in our daily movement, not just inside a building. Christianity must be lived and manifested through our day-to-day actions,” he said.

True Renewal Is a Change of Heart

As the parish prepares to mark its 125th Jubilee, in line with the Year of Parish Renewal in the Diocese, the Bishop reminded the faithful that genuine renewal does not lie in outward appearances.

• Beyond buildings: Renewal is not about making the church structure more beautiful.

• Beyond festivals: It is not achieved through grand celebrations or large-scale programmes.

• At the core: True renewal takes place through a deep transformation of life.

The Bishop cautioned that if faith is confined to a one-hour Sunday Mass, an annual parish feast, or the four walls of a church, then authentic Christian life is missing. Faith, he emphasized, must be lived amid the struggles, responsibilities, and realities of everyday life.

From Emptiness to Abundance

Recalling his own roots, Bishop Silva shared memories of serving as an altar boy in Kalamulla parish, alongside other priests who also hailed from the village. He drew a parallel between the experience of the first disciples and the challenges faced by people today.

Peter and his companions, he said, had laboured through the night and returned with empty nets. Yet, despite their fatigue and disappointment, they did not give up; instead, they washed their nets, preparing for another day.

“Many people today experience this same emptiness,” the Bishop observed. “They struggle in their personal and family lives, yet feel a sense of void. Even a parish community active for 124 years can sometimes experience emptiness.”

He concluded by stressing that this emptiness can only be filled by following the word of Jesus. Just as Peter, a professional fisherman, trusted the carpenter Jesus and witnessed a miraculous catch, the faithful are called to invite Christ into their own “boats” — their daily struggles — and live a faith that leads from emptiness to abundance.

Commemorating the 125th Jubilee

During the service, the Bishop also blessed a newly crafted statue of St. Sebastian, commissioned to mark the parish’s upcoming 125th Jubilee. The new statue replaces the original 124-year-old statue that had long stood on the church porch.