The Cornerstone

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, April 21st, 2024:
Good Shepherd Sunday

---

Psalm 118 

R. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
or 
R. Alleluia!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. 

R. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
or 
R. Alleluia!

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 

R. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
or 
R. Alleluia!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. 

R. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
or 
R. Alleluia!

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

The metaphor of Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith is a familiar one. Research tells me that the phrase appears in the Bible 13 times, throughout both the Old and New Testaments. I’ve seen many a building with a date-stamped cornerstone, but the psalm for this Sunday piqued my interest in knowing more about the function of the cornerstone, especially during biblical times, and just how deep this metaphor goes. So, I did a little digging, and then a little reflecting, and finally a little praying.

The cornerstone is a focal point of many historic buildings. Traditionally, it is the first stone set, often during a ceremony that marks the start of construction. Before it is placed (at a key intersection of walls at the bottom corner of the structure), careful measurements are taken to ensure the cornerstone is perfectly square, as all other stones will be aligned in reference to it. Precise positioning of the cornerstone determines the geographic orientation of the building (its direction) and allows the building to be constructed according to the desired plan.

The cornerstone is also referred to as the foundation stone. The foundation provides a stable base, ensuring that the stability and structural integrity of the building remain unaffected by any movement of the earth. The foundation must be the strongest part of a building, as it holds up the weight of the entire structure.

Learning all of this has afforded me a greater appreciation for what the ancient writers mean when they refer to Jesus as the “cornerstone,” a metaphor that has so much more depth and beauty than I expected. And it makes me wonder about the extent to which I’ve acknowledged Jesus to be the cornerstone of my life and how consistently I have acted like I did. This powerful metaphor has helped me to see new ways and paths for my faith.

And that being so, I make this prayer:

Lord Jesus, I have lived some years on this earth, and by the grace of God I will live some years more. As I reflect on the life that I will build in the time I have remaining in this place, help me to set You as the cornerstone. May I measure all things against You. May I surrender to Your direction for my life, and shape it according to Your divine plan. May my thoughts, words, and deeds align with You, as a perfect example. Remind me always that a life lived in You has a sure foundation, secure despite the quaking and heaving of this troubled world, which You have overcome. And may I, Lord, have the strength that comes from resting my entire self on You.




Donna Davis

---