"LIVING STONES" ^_[1]

GRINDING STONE

1.  In the early decades of our nation's life, small country mills dotted the landscape. These industrious mills, numbering about 100,000 at the peak of their technology, supplied the rural population with basic necessities. Many of these were grist mills, the most long-lived and important in the hierarchy of country mills. The nation's small farmers were totally dependent upon the local miller to grind corn, rye and wheat into flour that would be used to feed their families throughout the year. A grist mill was a landmark in the rural community; the water wheel was its distinguishing feature. The slowly rotating bulk of the wheel and the cascading water from its paddles was proof that the land was productive. The essential elements of any grist mill were water, a wooden wheel and the grinding stone. Though the mill evidenced man's harnessing of nature, the great wooden wheel required diligent care to stave off rot and structural fatigue. Intermittent ice and spring rains could wreak havoc on mill operations. Massive foundations were required for mills to offset excessive shaking and vibrations. The establishment of a grist mill was a sure sign that pioneers trusted the ability of the land to sustain their hopes and dreams for the future. Mill roads were well traveled in this nation, bearing as they did the procession of wagons carrying in the harvest of grain and carrying out the sacks of flour. The local mill, the general store, and the church served as gathering places for the farmers who largely went about their life's work in isolation on their cultivated land. At the mill, the farmers were able to see the reward of their labor, the fruit of the cultivated land. Here they were paid for the sweat of their labor, the blood they shed, and the tears of their suffering. Analogous to early American grist mills, the community of faith provides an opportunity for exchanging news, sharing ideas, celebrating the harvest of work, and strengthening community ties. The roads leading to the eucharistic celebration are well traveled. The procession of believers carries with it a harvest of faith, hope and love--"deeds which have been wrought in God"  [Jn 3:21]--that the Holy Spirit may refine them into spiritual flour worthy of the Lord's body.^[2] 

CAST ASIDE

2.  Of all the materials used in the mill, the grinding stone was heaviest and most indestructible. To retain its cutting surface, a millstone had to be extremely hard. Yet it could not be so abrasive that it would pulverize the wheat bran into powder or darken white flour. Native American stone often sufficed, but for exceptional quality, only freshwater quartz from France would do. After constant use and multiple retoolings, the worn stones were haphazardly cast aside. According to the visionary John, the fate of all who inhabit Babylon--the visible abyss of evil corresponding to the unseen abyss of hell--is symbolized by a great millstone cast into the sea:  "So shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and shall be found no more... the sound of the millstone shall be heard in thee no more."  [Rev 18:21, 22]  Our Lord warns his people that a deceiver in their midst--he names them as thieves, robbers, hirelings and wolves  [Jn 10:1,12]--will not be tolerated. The Good Shepherd indicates the severity of punishment for faithless shepherds and predators who lead even one of his flock astray:  "It would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."  [Mt 18:5-6]  With great conviction, St. Peter refers to Our Lord not as a cold and lifeless rock interred in the ground, but as a "living stone".  [1Pet 2:4]  The heavenly Father sends his Son to mankind to fulfill an unprecedented role in the plan of salvation. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?" says the Almighty to Job, "Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?  On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"  [Job 38:4-7]  Job, the archetype of the just man who loves God, knows that he does not possess divine knowledge. In the fullness of time, however, God answers his own rhetorical question. He declares through the apostles that Jesus Christ, his only-begotten son, is the foundation stone upon whose shoulders the whole of God's household of faith rests. Whereas, in Palestinian structures, the cornerstone is a large stone supporting two walls at right angles to each other, Our Lord is the living stone that supports the heavenly Zion, the city of God. Those who are anchored firmly upon this sturdy foundation will not be shattered by the forces of turbulence and stress. God is their sanctuary in the day of evil.  [cf. Jer 17:17] 

GOD'S BUILDERS PREVAIL

3.  Eventually, most of the rural mills in America were abandoned as the steam engine and the Industrial Revolution rendered them obsolete. The wooden water wheels, framing and roofs disintegrated quickly, leaving the brick and stone to be interred under ubiquitous overgrowth. Fortunately, this fate does not await the children of God. When we cry out, "The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me", God reassures us, saying:  "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.  Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."  [Isa 49:15-16]  Our walls are continually before God precisely because Christ Our Rock supports them with his strength. Lacking this foundation stone, we would collapse in the noon-day sun and by nightfall vanish under the boscage. God is not glorified by mere self-maintenance, however. We are to be living stones  [cf. 1Pet 2:5]--temples of the Holy Spirit given by God--built into a living Church. We will prevail in the task of building a spiritual edifice, for the Lord has decreed, "Your builders outstrip your destroyers."  [Isa 49:17]  On one occasion, near the feast of Passover, Jesus enters the Jerusalem Temple to pray. Appalled at the clamor of commerce which profaned his Father's house, he fashions a whip of cords and drives the livestock out of the Temple precinct. He overturns the tables of the moneychangers. Confronted by Jews who demand to know on whose authority he acted, Jesus says in reply, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."  [Jn 2:19]  Understandably, his accusers recall the forty-six years since King Herod began reconstruction of the Temple "but Jesus spoke of the temple of his body"  [Jn 2:20-21] and his resurrection from the dead. Take care to avoid evils rot and structural fatigue. Stand firm on the foundation of Christ, "in one spirit, with one mid striving side by side for the faith of the gospel".  [Phi 1:27]  For the sake of the Lord, work diligently to keep your soul in a state of repair. The soul that is neglected finds itself in servitude to the Evil One, for as it is written in Sacred Scripture:  "No man shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge; for he would be taking a life in pledge."  [Deu 24:6]  Our Lord condemns the man who acts as Satan's attache, who imperils the community of faith:  "Better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea."  [Lk 17:2]  The Lord gives his people a unique identity and a sharing in his incomparable glory. We who were no people are now God's people.  [cf. 1Pet 2:10]  Moreover the Builder is worthy of his materials.  If you desire the fulfillment of your faith, come to Christ, beloved and cherished in God's eyes. If you long for the merciful love of the Father, allow him to animate your heart of stone and give it a new spirit.  [Eze 36:26-27]  If you seek a dwelling place in the Father's house, grow in the way, the truth, and life of Christ and offer God your living works of faith. If you yearn for intimacy and authentic relationship, call on the Lord to break down the walls of your arrogance and lewdness. Walk out of your prison of sin! The door is not locked! The angel of the Lord will guide you "out of darkness into his marvelous light".  [1Pet 2:9] As living stones, formed in the image of Christ, may we allow ourselves to be "built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God".  [1Pet2:5]