Today we have the joy of having the cornerstone of the new cathedral with us. This cathedral will be dedicated on March 3rd and is thus under a year away. This cornerstone was blessed by our Holy Father, Francis, and thus it serves as a reminder of our connection to Rome and thus that the Church is universal.
This cornerstone has been making its way around the diocese, but it is most interesting that we have it at our parish this weekend for in our readings we are told about the importance of the cornerstone. 1 Peter instructs us "Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame."
In ancient times the cornerstone was the most important stone of the building. It was important because it was used as a reference point for the other stones which would be placed in reference to it. The builder would have to take great care with the cornerstone because it would determine the position, structure, and stability of the building.
Therefore, the cornerstone becomes a reference point for us. It becomes a symbol of Christ and thus reminds us that Christ must be the reference point for our life. Christ must become the center and we must allow ourself to use Him to become the reference of who we are as a human person.
1 Peter quoted concerning this cornerstone from the Book of Isaiah. In Isaiah chapter 28 we are given a glimpse of a people who have turned themselves away from God and His Word. They have allowed themself to enter into sin and thus have lost sight of God who should of been the focus of their life. Instead of living this life in defiance of God they were told that a cornerstone would be placed for them to follow.
Indeed this very cornerstone will be placed in the new Sacred Heart Cathedral. It serves as a reminder to each of us of Christ. Having this stone here with us reminds us of the Church which is universal. It reminds us that we are not a parish disconnected from the body which is the Church, but rather reminds us that we are connected to the Body which is the Church. The very Church which calls us to encounter Christ and to make Him the focal point of our life.
In the Gospel of Saint John Jesus states: "I am the way and the truth and the life." This statement reflects this cornerstone of 1 Peter. It reminds us that Christ is the path that we must follow in order to encounter true life. This path alone leads us to an encounter with true love, true happiness, and thus too true life.
If we loose sight of this cornerstone we will never come to an encounter with true life. May our families be modeled after this cornerstone which is Christ our Lord. May we be willing to place Christ as the reference point of our life and family. Christ and thus too the Church always calls to encounter this cornerstone which is "the way and the truth and the life." May we be willing to make this cornerstone the reference point of our life.
