(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Monday said that after rejection and death comes the glory of resurrection.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the day during morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope said the stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone; the scandalous executioner’s block that appeared to put an end to the story of hope, marked the beginning of man’s salvation.
And highlighting how the Scriptures speak to us today, the Pope said God builds upon weakness and waste; he said God’s love for mankind is manifested in the apparent “failure” of the Cross.
Taking his cue from the Gospel reading which tells the story of the wicked tenants, Pope Francis pointed out that this parable richly conveys some important truths about God and the way he deals with his people with patience and with justice.
But above all - the Pope said - the story tells us of how Jesus’s death led to his ultimate triumph.
Let us not forget the cross – he said – because it is here that the logic of “failure” is turned upside down.
Jesus – Pope Francis said – reminds the chief priests, the scribes and the elders that although we can expect trials and rejection, in the end we will see triumph and he quotes the Scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone”.
“The prophets, the men of God who spoke to the people, who were not listened to, who were rejected, will be His glory. The Son, His last envoy, was seized, killed and thrown out. He became the cornerstone” he said.
“This story that begins with a dream of love, that seems to be a love story, but ends up looking like a story of failures, ends with the great love of God who offers Salvation through the rejection of his Son who saves us all”.
And speaking to those present, the Pope said “the path of our redemption is a path marked by failure”.
But that is exactly where love triumphs. “We must never forget that our path is a difficult one” he said.
If each of us – Pope Francis continued – makes an examination of conscience, we will have to admit that often we have rejected the prophets: “how many times have we said to Jesus ‘Go away!’ How many times have we wanted to save ourselves thinking we were in the right”?
The Pope concluded his homily inviting the faithful never to forget that it is in the death on the Cross of the Son that the love of God for his people is manifest.
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