... from the readings of the day:
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son;
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
John 3:16
There is a tradition as old as the human race of killing someone and burying them under the foundation stone to protect the building, to give it strength, and to transfer the victim's long life to the building.
As we have matured, we stopped killing maidens - and substituted animals. With still more maturity, and in places even today, human shadows are entombed under the stone. (The owner of the shadow, without their essence, is not expected to live long).
Modern churches often still use the symbolism, not with shadows, but with relics.
Today's readings both deal with human sacrifice: the story of Joseph eventually sacrificed to slavery for the good of the brothers, and the vineyard owner who sacrificed his son for the harvest: to get "the produce at the proper times".
The image of the cornerstone from 2000 and 3000 years ago has all of that meaning invested in it: the stone is not only a sound and square stone tapped into place to ensure the other stones will form straight walls and accurate form. This stone has the blood and body and strength and persistence of a victim who died to give the building life. The cornerstone, in a way, brings life to the building, long life, maybe eternal life.
The Catholic liturgy for blessing the foundation-stone of a new church begins "Let us pray. Bless O Lord this creature of stone ..." (Oremus. Benedic, Domine, creaturam istam lapidis, et ... and goes on to pray for the contributors. http://www.liturgialatina.org/pontificale/000.htm).
The mortar is trowelled on, the stone tapped
to settle it and establish its position,
and the the rest of the blocks are laid
following the pattern of the foundation stone.
By our lives we may become the stones laid straight
with the cornerstone; resting in perfect alignment.
Some of us will be mortar setting stones in place,
a trowel, or mallet tapping stones straight.
One or two may be labourers sawing rock
in the quarry, or working with the master-builder
for a time. Some of us bled here, all added life,
our spirit forever bolstering the edifice.
Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".
The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.
Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.
Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!
If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, Matthew 21:37-42
Is there a word of phrase that jumps out to speak to you?
Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
Then spend 5, or 10, or 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word SACRIFICE or BUILD.
You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).
You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds.
After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen.
Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).
You may need a countdown clock.
At the end thank God, and return to your day.
There is a tradition as old as the human race of killing someone and burying them under the foundation stone to protect the building, to give it strength, and to transfer the victim's long life to the building.
As we have matured, we stopped killing maidens - and substituted animals. With still more maturity, and in places even today, human shadows are entombed under the stone. (The owner of the shadow, without their essence, is not expected to live long).
Modern churches often still use the symbolism, not with shadows, but with relics.
Today's readings both deal with human sacrifice: the story of Joseph eventually sacrificed to slavery for the good of the brothers, and the vineyard owner who sacrificed his son for the harvest: to get "the produce at the proper times".
The image of the cornerstone from 2000 and 3000 years ago has all of that meaning invested in it: the stone is not only a sound and square stone tapped into place to ensure the other stones will form straight walls and accurate form. This stone has the blood and body and strength and persistence of a victim who died to give the building life. The cornerstone, in a way, brings life to the building, long life, maybe eternal life.
The Catholic liturgy for blessing the foundation-stone of a new church begins "Let us pray. Bless O Lord this creature of stone ..." (Oremus. Benedic, Domine, creaturam istam lapidis, et ... and goes on to pray for the contributors. http://www.liturgialatina.org/pontificale/000.htm).
The mortar is trowelled on, the stone tapped
to settle it and establish its position,
and the the rest of the blocks are laid
following the pattern of the foundation stone.
By our lives we may become the stones laid straight
with the cornerstone; resting in perfect alignment.
Some of us will be mortar setting stones in place,
a trowel, or mallet tapping stones straight.
One or two may be labourers sawing rock
in the quarry, or working with the master-builder
for a time. Some of us bled here, all added life,
our spirit forever bolstering the edifice.
Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God and asking for the grace to grow closer: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time as I reach out to you, and ask that you guide me now, and each day, closer to you".
The exact words of the prayer are not important but you do need a firm intention to open yourself to God's input.
Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.
Listen for the personal message for you. There will always be one word or phrase that will reach into your heart. Think of it as the personal meaning God has for you alone!
If you would prefer a more authoritative reading to focus your meditation, try this from one of today's readings, Matthew 21:37-42
Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.”
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”Focus on a significant word or phrase in this passage or the meditation for a few moments.
Is there a word of phrase that jumps out to speak to you?
Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
Then spend 5, or 10, or 15 minutes with your word from Jesus, or the word SACRIFICE or BUILD.
You need a clear intention to empty your mind of random thoughts (you won't be entirely successful but you need the intention).
You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds.
After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen.
Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).
You may need a countdown clock.
At the end thank God, and return to your day.
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