REFLECTIONS TODAY
In Scriptures, God is often referred to as the “Rock” (Hebrew kepha, Greek petra). Rock signifies solidity and strength. It holds firm the house or any other structure. When referring to a person, he is someone to rely on, one who is true to his promise. God is “the Rock,” a faithful God, without deceit (Dt 32:4).
The people of Israel sang the words of the psalm: “Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer” (Ps 18:3). Jesus will build his Church on Simon and so gives him the name Petros (“Rock”), setting the Church on a solid foundation (Mt 16:18).
Here, at the close of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus enjoins his audience to build their house on rock. They do it when they listen to the words of Jesus— the contents of the Sermon on the Mount and other teachings gathered by Matthew in the socalled Five Great Discourses— and act on them. To merely listen is not enough; acting on God’s word is necessary.
Later, James will give this advice to the Christians, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like” (1:22-24). Have you started to lay the foundation for your temporal and spiritual life? Will it be solid enough to withstand the difficulties, trials, and temptations along the way?
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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.