+ Our gospel passage is the conclusion of St. Luke's version of the "Sermon on the Mount" – called: the "Sermon on the Plain." Jesus, in this version very directly and plainly tells his disciples that those who call out" Lord, Lord, I am your disciple," but do not produce good works (fruit) from a store of goodness in their hearts are not really good people at all, and they are not really disciples at all.
Then comes the punch-line for both the Sermon on Mount, the Sermon on the Plain – and many rules of religious life, including the Rule of St. Benedict: if you listen to the words of God, as they come in many forms, and act on them then you will be like a man building a house on rock, when a flood comes and a river burst against the house, it will stand because it has been well built. BUT IF ONE LISTENS BUT DOES NOT ACT, it will be like a man building a house with no foundation and when the river bursts against it it will be completely destroyed. The house is our spiritual lives – no one can afford to have them built on anything other than rock – but the decision to do so is always up to us!
Listen, act and build on rock; listen, do not act, build on nothing, and perish: it's not much of a decision to make – but it is amazing the vast number of people who foolishly choose the second. Let us be among those who choose and dedicate their whole lives to the first – and we shall be safe forever!
Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him!
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