“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Thursday, 1st December 2016,
First Week of Advent
(World AIDS DAY)
Is. 26:1-6;
Ps 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27;
Mt 7:21.24-27
WHAT MAKES US UNSHAKABLE?
Today, we hear about two builders; one is successful as he builds his house on rock, the other fails because he builds his house on sand. The first builder can be compared to the followers of Christ who not only listen to our Lord’s words but also act on them. However, one who hears the words of Christ, but chooses not to act on them is like the second builder; Some among us have constructed very nice and rock-solid houses in order to protect ourselves from all natural catastrophes, but have we prepared our souls to receive Jesus, at Christmas?
The lesson of the Gospel is clear: if we expect to weather the storms of life and still remain standing, we have to take Jesus’ teachings to heart and put them into practice. Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation upon which we may hope to stand. He is the basis for who we are and all that we hope to be. He is the rock upon which our faith is built. One of the ways in which we can allow the Word incarnate in our lives is to sow the Word often in our minds. It is to be fed by the Word.
Advent is the time given to us by the Church in order to tend to our spiritual foundations by both listening and acting. When we listen, we need to act in the anticipation of Jesus’ birth. In this way, Christmas will be celebrated in a home, and a heart, that is standing firm.
Prayer: Lord, may your human life become the foundation of my life. May my life be built upon You who are the Rock Foundation. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.