Mt 7: 21-29

“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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’ “

Everyone then who hears 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 beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!”

Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations

Repairing My House

Today Jesus speaks about the importance of building a house on a strong foundation so it can weather the storms. So too must our spiritual foundation be strong when life’s storms inevitably hit.

It is important for us to do an inspection of our “spiritual house” from time to time. In doing so we may see some cracks in our foundation that need repair.  However, just like home repairs if we put them off, a small crack in the foundation can soon become a serious structural problem. In the Gospel today Jesus gives us guidance on how to strengthen our foundation:  it is through hearing his teaching and then acting on it.

Are there any cracks in my “spiritual house” that need attention?

In what ways this week can I learn more about Jesus and act on his teaching?

—Brother Pat Douglas, S.J. lives and works at Creighton University, Omaha. He is also vocation promoter for the Wisconsin Province Jesuits.

Prayer

Lord, we ask for spiritual authority to stand for your truth, your justice, your mercy and understanding. We pray for greater faith to claim your presence in the details of this day.

—The Jesuit Prayer Team