The thread of “cornerstone” is woven throughout the Psalms, the Prophets, through Luke and Peter. This image challenges us to ask what it means to us that the Christ is the cornerstone . . .
God-through-Christ is doing a bigger work that is larger than the people of Israel. Now, in the spirit of Pentecost, all humanity is being called into relationship with the Christ of God—the one whom God has sent into the world; the one who embodies the image, presence, essence, and being of the invisible God. This understanding sees all creation as interrelated to the Christ who is foundation and cornerstone . . .
But there is another thread: the psalmist and the prophets, Luke and Peter all speak of those who “stumble” over this stone, and they grieve the disturbing rejection of this foundation of creation, this foundation for living.
I grieve as well.
There are and always have been those who choose to live for, from, and unto themselves. There always have been those who spend their time and energy seeking pleasure and power, prestige and privilege. Loving God and loving neighbor are foolish to them; self-sacrifice and service seem weak. These are a people turned in upon themselves in such convulsion that God only knows if they ever will find their way to healing and wholeness in this life. This rejection of God, this stumbling over the Christ, this resistance to the Spirit, this turning away from life surely breaks the heart of God, the God of life. It certainly can make for miserable living. Even so, God-in-Christ is their savior too . . .
In a cultural climate such as ours, rife with separation, alienation, and condemnation, living in love, unity, and shalom is countercultural. Even so, this countercultural living is God’s call to us who ground our faith in the life of the cosmic cornerstone. Those of us who presume to wear the name of the Christ, who claim this name which is like “no other name,” can entrust ourselves to the salvation that is only God’s to give.
Coyle, Charlotte Vaughan. Living in The Story: A Year to Read the Bible and Ponder God’s Story of Love and Grace (p. 257-260). Resource Publications. Kindle Edition.
Living in The Story readings for Week 21
