Build on Rock

Matthew 7: 21, 24-27

True and False Disciples

²¹ “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 who is in heaven.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

It's not just pious words that get us into heaven, but the heavy duty daily living out of those word, otherwise we build on a foundation of sand and our house, our spiritual life, crumbles.  The solid rock on which we must build is JESUS.  Nothing less.  He is the solid foundation for our happiness and willingness to lay down our lives for others, as he did.  Without him, we cannot extend ourselves very far in service to others, for our own selfishness and self-pity kick in and we fall apart.  Jesus, be my rock, my shelter, my fortress and I will then be able to love and serve others, even the most difficult.

Bro. Rene

Lord, you tell us to build a house on the rock and not on sand. We need a strong foundation for our lives, or we will surely be blown away by the first gust of wind. In our hearts we know that we cannot survive without you, but still we are fearful. If we allow you to get too close what will we have to give up, what will we have to change? Give us courage, Lord. Amen.

Rev. Thomas McNally, C.S.C.