There are two brief motifs in the readings today: the first is that for those who trust in the Lord – really trust in him – their lives feel as secure as a strong city set up with high walls and ramparts for protection; like a nation – of those who keep faith – who are kept safe in the peace of God.
The gospel passage is a slight
variation of that theme: those who hear
God’s words and actually keeps them – are like those who build their own houses
on rock – on a high mountain – safe from all intruders (rather than on the
sand of worldly allure and empty promises).
Not everyone who says “Lord,
Lord” to me will end up in the kingdom: that is, not everyone who says “I am a
Christian, see, I do all kinds of good deeds and go to church”! As Pope Francis
said in his mass this morning: being a Christian means quietly going about the
business of loving and serving others in the name of God – and not “strutting
our stuff”!
May we not strut today – but
be genuine, authentic Christians who trust in the Lord, have faith in him, and
demonstrate that faith by good deeds done for love of him – this is the best
way to prepare for Christmas.
Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
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