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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Wise man who built his house on rock

Wise man who built his house on rock

Published Jun 26, 2025 12:00 am  |  Updated Jun 25, 2025 04:49 pm
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Our Gospel today reminds us that external acts of piety (no matter how consistent) do not guarantee us a share in the Kingdom of God. What does is the ability to do the will of God, to live out one’s faith in daily actions in obedience to God’s commands. Yes, it is possible to be externally religious or pious or devoted, and yet unable to please God truly.
The metaphor or illustration of the two persons building a house, one on rock and one on sand, shows that a faith that is only in words is a shaky faith, one built on sand, whereas a faith that is shown in following God’s will, is a strong and steadfast one, a faith that can withstand any kind of storm. Which, therefore, invites us to reflect on what kind of prayer life or spiritual life we practice. We are not discouraged to stop our religious observances or piety, but that we make sure that this piety does not just happen in the church or before the altar but also in the “marketplace,” so to speak.
Gospel • Matthew 7:21-29
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. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
“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.”
When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” 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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