Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
living stones
“I tell you the very stones would cry out.” —Luke 19:40
The hard stones on the path to Jerusalem were ready to praise Jesus as King of Glory (Lk 19:40). Even the hard stones of the tomb embraced, sheltered and protected the dead body of Jesus. Sadly, those who opposed Jesus had hearts as hard as the stone-cold tomb. Jesus desired so much to transform hardened human hearts that He became a man to reveal the Father’s love and die so that we might have the chance for eternal life.
Will we have stony hearts? (Ez 36:26) Will we be stony ground (see Mk 4:5) and cry out, “Crucify Jesus” (see Lk 23:21)? Or will we be “living stones” to build the Church, the Kingdom of God? (1 Pt 2:5) The Church is built on St. Peter, the Rock (Mt 16:18). If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts as hard as stones (Ps 95:8).
To soften our stony hearts, Jesus allowed His body to be pierced. He eagerly desired to share the Passover, the Mass, with us (Lk 22:15). He loves us unto death (Jn 13:1ff). God can raise up children of Abraham from the stones (Lk 3:8). Let’s not allow the stones to out-praise us. Let the Lord change you from rock-hard to a living stone. Cry out in praise, Hosanna!
Prayer: Father, soften my stony heart to be like clay in Your hands of love (Jer 18:6).
Promise: “The Lord God is My help, therefore I am not disgraced.” —Is 50:7
Praise: “Blessed is He Who comes as King in the name of the Lord!” (Lk 19:38)
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Is this the year you are being called to spend the summer with the Lord? Beginning June 25, we offer a series of 13 different retreats that is known as Forty Day Discipleship Formation. See our website for details.)
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