O Rex Gentium

O King of all the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

 

"The Stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone"  Psalm 118:22

That line is cited six times in the New Testament... so what is it saying to us?

Today when we hear 'cornerstone' we think of that date inscribed stone which is ceremonially laid at the completion of the building project.  But historically the cornerstone was just the opposite.  It was the first major stone laid that determined the position of the entire building.  Placed incorrectly and the structure would fall.

As we near the end of the O Antiphons we are reminded that Christ is the cornerstone upon which all creation is saved.  All things God has made from the clay of the earth: Jew/gentile; black/white; rich/poor; gay/straight - all creation, without exception is saved.

What remains?  Take a moment and look at which stone you have selected to be your cornerstone.  Do you have any corrective masonry work that needs to be done?

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.