Third Sunday of Easter, Apr. 29, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O.de M.
Gospel: John 10:11-19 “There shall be one flock, one shepherd”
(Full text of sermon) As a child, one of my favorite things to do was to build towers. Give me a few blocks and I would immediately start on the Empire State Building. As I got older, I graduated to more mature ventures such as making towers with dominos and cards. Ultimately, though, towers are made to be “knocked down” (sometimes by us and other times by onlookers).
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There are many ways that we can go about this demolition project: hit it high, hit it low, or pull one the objects out. The thicker the material the harder it is to knock down all at once. If we hit it too high, then often the foundation is left. But, take the cornerstone out and the whole tower goes toppling to the ground.
Rejected stone becomes cornerstone
This is why the cornerstone is so special, because it is the central piece of any structure. Oftentimes, schools, office buildings, and the like will place the year of construction or a significant symbol on the cornerstone. On occasion, the cornerstone will be filled with a “time capsule” containing significant historical items that represent the era of the building’s foundation.
We are told in the first reading and the responsorial psalm today that that the “stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.” Jesus Christ is of course, that stone. He was rejected by all; crucified for all. Jesus has become the cornerstone of salvation for all mankind. St. Peter is not ashamed to stand up at the risk of his own life and proclaim Jesus as the “cornerstone.” St. Peter says boldly that “there is no salvation through anyone else.” In Jesus’ name alone all who seek salvation are saved.
Jesus told the disciples to go and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name these apostles would heal the sick, drive out demons, and perform miracles. Even today, the Church uses the Rite of Exorcism to free those oppressed. In this Rite, Jesus name alone has the power to caste out demons. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are to seal all our prayers of petition, thanksgiving, praise, and lamentation.
Renewed strength and vigor
As we get further into the Easter Season, we hear often from the Acts of the Apostles. This book describes how the 11 apostles go forth into the world with renewed strength and awesome courage to spread the Gospel. They do this in Jesus name and the result is miracles just as great as those our Savior did while he walked the earth. The disciples were able to do this because they had been baptized and commissioned by Christ. The message they brought was carried at the risk of their own lives and, in fact, all would be martyred as a result of spreading the Gospel.
We must understand clearly that the Sacrament of Baptism is that important! It is important enough for one to risk their lives. For thousands of years missionaries have risked everything in the hopes that people would be baptized! They did so that others would recognize Christ as the true Savior and experience the effects of his Paschal Mystery. That in this Sacrament they would become adopted Sons and Daughters; receive sanctifying grace and become temples of the Holy Spirit.
Acceptance at some level
Jesus Christ laid down his life for all and, yet, all do not accept this. In order to achieve salvation, there must be an acceptance at some level. For most this is through the Baptism of Water when their parents or godparents say yes for them. They are baptized in water and the Trinitarian formula. Others will embrace Christ through the Baptism of Blood. They die for Christ and are washed clean of all their sins. Yet another way is the Baptism of Desire. In this case, a person may have never had the opportunity or the knowledge of Christ, but they have always sought God with a sincere heart. Jesus talks about these people today when he says in the Gospel, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.” Even though these people may be outside the visible communion of believers they are baptized not with water, but a sincere desire to know God and do His will.
It is clear from all of today’s readings that Jesus alone is the “cornerstone.” We who have been blessed to be baptized by water have died and risen with Christ. However, we must continually try to make Him the “cornerstone” of our lives. Then our foundation is truly secure. Then we can have a strong hope in Eternal Life won for us by our Savior’s death upon the Cross and His Resurrection.