Sunday, October 4, 2026

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes!” (Mt 21:42)

It is painful when a person is set aside. When their work is not needed, their voice is not heard. Decisions are made about them as if they were worthless. At such times, it is easy to believe that we are truly unnecessary. The judgment of others slowly becomes the judgment we make about ourselves.

Jesus speaks about the rejected stone. About Himself, who is rejected. Yet He becomes the foundation of new life. The cross seemingly marks the end of everything. But God opens a way precisely where man sees only failure.

This can give us hope as well. The rejection by others does not tell everything about us. Just because someone does not recognize our value does not mean we lose it. God sees the work done in silence, the faithfulness shown to Him. The love that perhaps never received thanks.

But the gospel also asks us: whom have we rejected? Whose words have we not considered important? Whom have we judged unfit? Insignificant or unworthy to belong among us? It is easy to recognize ourselves in the place of the rejected person. It is harder to notice when we are the builders who cast aside a stone.

Christ teaches us to look at each other more attentively. Let us make room for those we have not even noticed until now. And if we are rejected, let us bring our pain before Him.

We do not always understand what God is building from what we experience as loss. But we can trust that in His hands even the rejected stone has a place.

People can set us aside. God calls us by name even then.