Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel from Mark, Jesus tells the familiar Parable of the Vineyard, drawing on a common image used by Old Testament prophets in which Israel is symbolized as the vineyard of God. In this parable, we can identify Jesus as the beloved son of the vineyard owner, who is ignored, seized, and killed. Jesus concludes this parable by referring to Psalm 118, saying “Have you not read this scripture: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’”
Studying and working in the field of civil engineering, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and document numerous foundation and wall constructions. In fact, belonging to the branch of civil engineering known as “geotechnical,” foundation construction constitutes a large portion of my day to day work. Naturally, while reading today’s Gospel, my mind was drawn to the imagery of the “cornerstone” used by Christ. Reading it a second time, my eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning!
A “cornerstone” refers to the first stone that is placed during the construction of a masonry foundation for a building. Placed in the corner of the foundation, the entire structure (the alignment of the walls, location of the building, elevation of the floor slab, etc.) is constructed with respect to the cornerstone! For us, our lives are the structure and we are both the engineers and contractors of those structures. So we must ask ourselves the question: Is Jesus Christ our cornerstone?
As previously mentioned, the cornerstone is the first stone that is placed during construction. In fact, construction of the building cannot continue without the cornerstone being properly set. So, the question for us is: Do we begin with Jesus? Or, do we find ourselves looking for ways to fit Jesus into a life that’s already built? When we do not place Jesus first, He then ceases to be the cornerstone for us. As disciples, how do we start? Perhaps let’s take a look at how we begin our days? Simply spending time in prayer before we even make the coffee or jump in the shower can have a profound impact in constructing a life built on Christ. Even the simple action of making a slow, purposeful Sign of the Cross the instant we open our eyes places Jesus in His proper place as the cornerstone.
Secondly, a cornerstone aligns the entire structure, and all the parts within the structure. If the cornerstone is off, even to the slightest degree, the entire structure is offset as well. In other words, everything is built with respect to the cornerstone! As disciples, do we use Jesus as the reference point of our lives and properly align our view of truth, of holiness, and what it means to be human person with Him? So often I compare myself to everyone other than Christ and I think, “Boy, I’m doing pretty good compared to a lot of other people.” However, the second I see my life in the shadow of Jesus’ cross, I began to realize how much building and rebuilding I have left to do.
Thirdly, it is important to remember that the cornerstone is not simply a benchmark set outside the structure for reference. Instead, the cornerstone is a part of the structure itself! In fact, the cornerstone plays a critical role as part of the structure’s foundation, thereby bearing the load of the entire structure. Reminding ourselves that Jesus, as the cornerstone, is part of our own foundation, we must realize that God is not distant, but is close, personal, and capable of supporting every part of our lives when the weight of our lives becomes too significant for us to bear alone. This is our faith!
Studying foundations in college, I remember learning about a simple concept called “load transfer.” In practical terms, a generalized example of load transfer may be: the desk is supported by floor boards, which are supported by joists, which are supported by girders, which are supported by columns, which are supported by the foundation. In nearly all cases, the full load of the structure, which includes everything that is built, would eventually be supported by the foundation. Our lives are no different. Therefore, how should we build are lives which are founded upon Christ? Today’s first reading from 2 Peter gives us some powerful insight into this question. The author says, “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love.” (2 Pet 1:5-7) When I read this verse, two words immediately came to mind: load transfer! In other words, our faith is supported by virtue, which is supported by knowledge, which is supported by self-control, which is supported by endurance, which is supported by devotion, which is supported by mutual affection, which is supported by love! It is with these God-given characteristics and traits that we must strive to build our lives, for God “has bestowed on us everything that makes for life.” (2 Peter 1:3) As Christians, our faith must be supported fully by love, just as our whole lives are supported fully by the God who is love.
Today, let us prayerfully and seriously reflect on Jesus as the cornerstone of our lives and the characteristics with which we have built upon that cornerstone. This may require some careful and painful demolition on our part. It may require some tedious and challenging rebuilding. But, if difficulties should arise, let us focus on one thought: Jesus, our Lord, our Savior, our God, and our cornerstone, was rejected. As disciples, let us pray for the grace to accept Jesus today- in the way that we think, talk, and act! Amen.
-Ryan J. Mahle