“Everyone who listens to these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” – Matthew 7:21, 24-27
In today’s Gospel, Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a call to action. If we are to enter the Kingdom of God, you and I are to do the will of God. Hearing the word of God is not enough! Jesus is proposing ACTION. Of all the analogies that Jesus could have spoken, He refers to building a house. You and I are to emulate the ‘wise man’ who built his house upon a rock’ and not the ‘foolish man who built his upon the sand.’ Jesus is referring to the rebuilding of the Temple being undertaken in Jerusalem. But as some scripture scholars suggest, Jesus was referring to a different Temple which was to be built… the Church. If we take the Church as the Temple, the very foundation is Christ Himself as St. Paul says, ‘they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ.’ (1 Cor. 10:4). Jesus calls you and me to action, which is rooted in Him, who is love. You and I must not only hear Jesus’ words, but you and I must act upon them for ‘faith apart from works is dead.’ (James 2:26).
What are you and I building today? What actions are we undertaking in the name of our loving God? In ‘Evangelii Gaudium’, Pope Francis challenges us to evangelize, “For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others?” … with the poor, neglected, the forgotten, and especially prisoners. Francis challenges us to ACT on the Gospel message.
Build your house on the ROCK …Christ the Lord.
Heavenly Father,
Help us to build our lives on You, our rock and sure foundation.
Amen.
Brother James Connolly, C.F.X.
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