The rejected stone...
On the school playground, we sometimes called someone a "reject." Always with that taunting voice that let that person know that whatever word we spoke, it was supposed to be the worst of all insults. "Reject!"
Even squirrels in a litter will sometimes pick on one of their group--not necessarily a runt--and drive their brother to take up shelter somewhere away from them.
When Jesus refers to himself as the stone rejected by the builders, he gives us the strength of his own life to show that being labeled the "reject" does not mean that we are unimportant. Indeed, Jesus is the cornerstone and foundation of a good life. He came to provide us this foundation, even knowing that we would reject him.
But we are also builders--we build our lives and hopefully help others to build good lives for themselves as well. We have to remember to be careful about how we pick and choose--who is worthy, who deserves benefits, who deserves to live in our area or share public services. We have to be careful because we know that Jesus identifies with the rejected, and how we treat those who are rejected shows us how we really treat the One we claim is our "Lord and God."
Rev Jerome Wolbert, ofm is a Franciscan friar serving in Pennsylvania.
Nota bene: The Byzantine tradition reads Matthew 21:33-42 on August 22, 2010, the 13th Sunday after Pentecost.
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