Monday, June 5, 2023

THE CORNERSTONE

Meditation for Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
(Tobit 1:3; 2:1-8; Mk 12:1-12)

After narrating the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus concluded by saying, “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” The ‘builders’ who are supposed to be professional in their work ought to know the cornerstone and build on it. Why did they act so unprofessional and reject the cornerstone, which was for their good? The answer is found in the bad choices made by the wicked tenant against their master, who loved them and had good plans for them. In their greed and selfishness, they rejected their master's goodwill and all the efforts he made to forgive them and make peace with them, which included sending down his son as the final saving grace for them. But they rejected the Son, the Cornerstone, and followed their selfish and greedy desires. This brought them to destruction.

 

In the first reading, as Tobit lived for the love of his people and attended to the victims of persecution, his neighbors laughed at him. Here is an example of a man, who followed not his selfish inclinations, but denied himself food to bury the man that was killed. Such a man is true ‘builder’, who establishes his house on the cornerstone. Think about how people want to build lasting and strong family ties, peace, unity and progress without the sacrificial love that Jesus laid down for us. But how can we imbibe this love that binds all things together (cf. Col 3:14) when we do not welcome Jesus in our lives as the wicked tenants did? Imagine the wasted effort, wasted opportunity and resources when we do not build on the Cornerstone, which Jesus Christ. God will do marvels for us if we act professionally and build on the Cornerstone. Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.

Monday, June 5, 2023.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com


2 comments:

  1. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone let us cast our burdens to Him for He cares for us. Thank you so much Fr for this food of the soul.

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