Gospel in Art: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone

Off, by Edmund Blair Leighton,1899 © Manchester Art Gallery, England

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 21 March 2025
Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

At that time: Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, 'Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence round it and dug a wine press in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than at first. And they did the same to them.

Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance." And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?'

They said to him, 'He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.'

Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes"? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.'

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

Reflection on the painting

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells a parable in which the son of a vineyard owner is killed by the tenants. This reading is a direct foreshadowing of Jesus' own death. Following the parable, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22: "It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone." Here, he even foretells his resurrection. Though rejected by the religious and political leaders of his time, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, becoming the keystone of the new temple, his Church. Through this teaching, Jesus reminds us that what is initially dismissed or undervalued can often turn out to be of crucial and life-changing importance.

This truth applies not only to faith but also to the art world, where many great artists were rejected in their time, only to be recognised later for their cultural significance. Think of Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Walt Disney, or JK Rowling-all faced rejection before their work became widely celebrated. On a more personal level, many of us have experienced rejection, whether in relationships, careers, or friendships. This theme is powerfully depicted in our painting by Edmund Blair Leighton (1899). The man walking away has had his marriage proposal rejected, his flowers discarded on the bridge. The woman, dressed in a straw hat and floral gown, stands firm in her decision, her expression both pensive and resolute.

Rejection, at its core, is about being pushed away, whether in a single painful moment or through gradual exclusion over time. It can leave us feeling unwanted, unvalued, or unaccepted. Yet, rejection can also serve as a catalyst for growth. When we share our faith with others and experience dismissal, whether from friends, colleagues, or society, we might initially feel discouraged. However, rather than letting rejection weaken us, it can strengthen our resolve and ignite a deeper passion for God's Kingdom. We may not be the keystone of the Church, but each of us is a vital brick within its foundation!... Each of us small yet essential in the life and mission of the Church.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-21-33-43-45-46-2025/ (with audio)