I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Psalms 118:21‭-‬25 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/psa.118.21-25.NRSV

So often, we feel we are the stone the builders rejected. But in God, there is a promise. The rejected stone is the chief cornerstone.

For those who seek to build the church, in Christ, the Samaritan woman and the demoniac become the messengers, and the women bring the good news of resurrection. Paul commends the slave. We need to look to those who we exclude in expectation that they will be chief in our institutions.

Wherever we stand in relation to the edifice of the church, being rejected is an exaulted position. Jesus promises,

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Matthew 20:15‭-‬16 NRSV

https://bible.com/bible/2016/mat.20.15-16.NRSV

Matthew 27: 11-54 (2023)