A Gospel according to 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: "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock."
In today's first reading we see God's response to the wickedness of the King. God allowed the Babylonians to besiege the city of Jerusalem and lead the captive people back to Babylon. The psalmist asks God for forgiveness for the iniquities done to God and His Temple. They were sent prophets to warn them, but did not listen to them.
Jesus, in the Gospel, tells us that at our judgment many will cry to Him, "Lord, Lord", but He will refute them except for those who listen to His words, and act on them.
Jesus is not promising a life without pain. He tells us there will be wind and rain that will buffet the house built on rock. But it will not collapse.
If you have ever worked on a minor outdoor building you know it is a very difficult task especially if the soil is pure clay. We might need to prepare the soil with chemicals, bring heavy duty equipment to dig into it. There is a lot of pre-planning involved, as well as actual work.
We know that at the end, if doing things right and not cutting corners, our outdoor project will hold up against the elements much better.
Likewise, our spiritual life doesn't come without labor.
For most people, teachable moments for the faith will be during the homily at Mass. This is an average of 12 minutes..
If we want to be able to withstand the buffets of the wind, the temptations and persecutions of this world, we need to spend some time in mental and guided prayer. Reading and learning about our own faith. Making holy friendships that will help us go to Heaven. And acting like Christians.
This is easier said that done, especially in a world where opposing opinions to popular culture are met with verbal and physical attacks to the person that upholds the values of the Catholic Church.
Some of the ways to oppose, or limit the outreach of these "counter" entities, is to "talk with our wallet". Do not purchase items in places that support values opposed to the teachings of the Catholic Church. We can make the sacrifice to remove our children from schools that are teaching them immorality and civil insubordination. Instead, we can place them in schools that will teach them properly. Some heroic parents go to the extent of homeschooling.
So we pray to the Holy Spirit to show us the prudent manner we should act in different circumstances. So when we finally meet Jesus, He tells us we built our house on His Rock.
