27 June 2008

The Lord is the living stone, a precious cornerstone, a keystone, a rock. These phrases are used frequently in the scriptures and you have chosen today to reflect this idea in all three pericopes. Strong and protecting, lasting and faithful, surprising source of life and that which holds life together; for a foundation or for stumbling.
Christ is all these things to us. He is the one who gives us strength both in our being and in our life and work. The rock protects from peril, from wild animals, from flood. It provides shade and shelter. It hides us from our enemies.
As the mountains, so the rock and the stones are lasting from age to age and become a permanent reminder of God’s faithfulness. They are the memorial stones of the covenant made between God and humanity, ratified in Christ and brought to fulfilment in Him.
From the rock in the desert water of refreshment and life poured forth. From the stone of the Temple healing wholesome waters flow to bring teaming abundance from apparent sterility. We, like living stones, are drawn together and held by Him who is the Keystone once rejected but now central to the new creation, the new building, the Church.
In the waters of Baptism, through the generous gift of the Spirit, by the fresh rains of God’s grace, we are chosen in Christ from the beginning of the world, and Christ becomes now our foundation, no longer the stumbling stone to bring us down. Thus we form part of his elect, his royal priesthood, a consecrated nation whose task it is to sing the praises of his God and Father.
So today we come with joy and trust in God to lay the foundation stone of this new enterprise, this new building. It will be the shell in which the great work, begun long ago continues. It is an opus Dei wherein the magnalia Dei will be proclaimed in praise and thanksgiving.
May all that happens in this place be founded on the rock of God’s Word, Christ himself. On Him is our hope, and trust and joy built. Nothing will shake this enterprise so well founded. May all those who dwell here and come here be filled with the Word of God and live by the Word of God. May they confidently face any flood knowing that their foundations are sure. And so we proclaim:

The stone which the builders rejected
has become the corner.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
we rejoice and are glad.