The stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone

Gen. 37:3-4.12-13.17-28, Mt. 21:33-43.45-46. The story of Jacob’s sons in today's first reading has one overriding motive expressed in Joseph’s words to his brothers: “Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his purpose, the survival of many” (Gen. 50:19-20). God can bring a convoluted, mixed-up and even misguided life to a positive end, even for our enemies and those who cared little about us. It was through Joseph’s perseverance that the twelve tribes survived and flourished in Egypt where they developed their distinctive religious unity. This situation relates to the quote from the Psalm Jesus made in today's Gospel: “It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone." Jesus made this quote when He experienced rejection from the religious and political leaders of His days.

Jesus narrates the parable of the son of a vineyard owner being killed by the tenants, so as to seize his property. In this way Jesus points ahead to His rejection and death. Having told the parable, which looks forward to His resurrection. Jesus rose from the dead and in so doing became the keystone of a new temple, the people who believed in Him. He teaches us that, what is rejected can often turn out to be of crucial importance. What we might initially inclined to reject can be the means through which God may want to speak to us. Those aspects of life that we reject and slow to accept may be the channels through which the Lord works powerfully in our lives and, through us, in the lives of others.

May the Lord Jesus whose heart was pierced with a lance, heal the wounds of our human weakness! Amen!! Good morning and Peace be with you!!!