Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today’s Gospel speaks not only of correct teaching, but also of correct practice. The Gospel passage ends the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5–7. It is in these three chapters that the teachings of Jesus on discipleship can be found. Today’s Gospel clearly states that only the one who does the will of the heavenly Father will enter the Kingdom of heaven. Only the true disciple will enter it. This implies that there are false disciples. The false disciples include those who may know the teachings taught by Jesus, but do not practice them (Mt 21:30). At the end of the day, Jesus’ true disciple is the one who does not only know the correct teaching, but also does the correct practice.
Does our knowledge of the teachings of Jesus correspond to what we practice as his disciples? How do we discern and do the will of God during this Advent season? What daily practices are we doing that make us true disciples of Jesus?
FIRST READING • Is 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
Gospel • Mt 7:21, 24-27
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.
“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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Today’s Gospel speaks not only of correct teaching, but also of correct practice. The Gospel passage ends the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5–7. It is in these three chapters that the teachings of Jesus on discipleship can be found. Today’s Gospel clearly states that only the one who does the will of the heavenly Father will enter the Kingdom of heaven. Only the true disciple will enter it. This implies that there are false disciples. The false disciples include those who may know the teachings taught by Jesus, but do not practice them (Mt 21:30). At the end of the day, Jesus’ true disciple is the one who does not only know the correct teaching, but also does the correct practice.
Does our knowledge of the teachings of Jesus correspond to what we practice as his disciples? How do we discern and do the will of God during this Advent season? What daily practices are we doing that make us true disciples of Jesus?
FIRST READING • Is 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
Gospel • Mt 7:21, 24-27
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.
“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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.