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Writer's picture Olivia M. Bannan

OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA , THURSDAY OF THE TWELFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, JUNE 27, 2024



The Washington Post

June 2024



Gospel

Mt 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’

will enter the Kingdom of heaven,

but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Many will say to me on that day,

‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?

Did we not drive out demons in your name?

Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’

Then I will declare to them solemnly,

‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them

will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.

The rain fell, the floods came,

and the winds blew and buffeted the house.

But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.

And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them

will be like a fool who built his house on sand.

The rain fell, the floods came,

and the winds blew and buffeted the house.

And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them as one having authority,

and not as their scribes.


REFLECTION

"The rain fell, the floods came,

and the winds blew and buffeted the house.

And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”



In southern Minnesota, a dam built in the early 1900s is on the brink of collapse as a result of the flooding. The flooding from heavy rains caused the bank of the Blue Earth River, next to the Rapidan Dam Store, to collapse, taking a portion of the building and eventually ending with total house collapsing and falling into the river. Built in 1910, the house had survived many of nature's assaults. This time, the forces of wind, rain and poor dam system finally swallowed up the house. Reconstruction of the flood damage may never restore lives to what was once normal. They should rebuild on firmer land away from possible flood areas, winds or known forces of nature


In today's Gospel we see two different scenarios: two different consequences. Do we want our house or soul built on rock or on sand? Depending how we choose, we may be successful or fall into disaster and despair. Building our lives and souls for survival is done by following God's will and growing in faith and trust. We are warned to plan wisely and with due diligence, not create or build a spiritual foundation prone to washing away entry to heaven when faced with danger, temptation or bad circumstances. Either through sin or a blind eye to evil, if there is no interest in eternity with God, our soul is lost. Hope in the Lord can fail when our faith has no firm foundation of love, doing God's will and keeping the Ten Commandments.


Never give up. Always strife daily to improve our lives, in whatever or whomever God puts in our lives. Build strong, build wisely and most of all talk with Jesus. Ask Him for the humility to question our decisions if they are good or not. Ask Him to show you the best place to build your home with Him for eternity. As St Cyril of Alexandra said, ..."one who receives Holy Communion is so united with Christ that Christ is in him and he is in Christ. "



God Bless You



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