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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A wise man who built his house on rock

A wise man who built his house on rock

Published Dec 6, 2023 04:14 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Both the Matthean “Sermon on the Mount” and Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” end with a “demonstration story” of two foundations. Matthew has “rock” and “sand” while Luke has “rock” and “without foundation.” “Rock” stands for a solid foundation while “sand” or sandy soil stands for a loose foundation that cannot sustain the weight of the structure. 

The metaphor here of “building” is closest to the experience of Jesus who was a “carpenter” in Nazareth before he began his public ministry of preaching the Good News. “Building a house” is a metaphor of building a house of life. It involves all human activity and capacity: thoughts, speech, and practice. It begins from a person’s early education and ends only with death. Early in life, we think about “building a house” and plan our future. 

We set the foundation of good education and useful training and experiences. Do we also plan to build our spiritual life? It is good to remember here the words of the psalmist: “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build” (Ps 127:1). The disciple “builds his life” on Jesus. He must not be content of being a listener of Jesus; he must act on Jesus’ words. Being thus founded firmly on Jesus, he bears good fruits in words and deeds. He stands the test of time and opposition.

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 • Matthew 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 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

 

 

 

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