Our Scripture readings for today can be found at Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB
We hear in our gospel for today Jesus teaching us, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus is teaching us that our actions and our words must coincide. We can say all the right things, but if our lives do not match the words that we are saying, it is meaningless. In chapter 7 of the gospel of Saint Matthew, Jesus is attempting to show his followers how to live a life of faithfulness to God in a way that’s pleasing to Him. Our actions must match our words.
Jesus explicitly states that merely calling Him "Lord, Lord" does not grant entry into the kingdom of heaven. Even outwardly impressive deeds, such as prophesying or casting out demons in His name, are insufficient if a person's life lacks true, loving obedience to the Father's will.
Let’s be like the wise man the Lord talks about in today’s gospel and build a house on a rock. Let us offer all our prayers to the Lord with sincere love for Him. Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Our following Jesus is meant to be both vertical and horizontal. We are to look up towards God with true love and devotion and look towards our neighbors with the love God expects us to have for all those people made in his likeness. It will be then that our relationship with God will be on a rock foundation.
Pope John Paul II heavily relied on Matthew 7:21-29 to challenge young people and the faithful worldwide. He connected the parable of the "house built on rock" to Jesus Christ as the solid foundation, calling believers to actively live the Gospel rather than simply paying it lip service.
May the Lord fill our hearts with true love for Him and for our neighbor.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteAMEN. I heartily agree that Our LORD is teaching us that we must "WALK THE WALK" & not merely "TALK THE TALK". As the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." Our religious words & correct terminology mean very little if they are not backed up by the way we live our lives & the way we treat others.
What is disturbing & rather scary is that Our LORD seems to be saying that we could be actively serving the LORD, the Church & people in active ministry & using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us in active service of the LORD & still "miss the mark". I consider my service as a lector for 52 years & counting, my service as an EM for 44 years & counting, my involvement in various music ministries over the years & my service in my Secular Franciscan fraternity a very important part of who I am & as part of my "credentials". But I guess what the LORD is saying is what we are "on the outside" is not as important as who we are "on the inside" & who we are & what we do when we don't see anyone looking (except the LORD who knows us completely & sees everything.)
YES, I guess the essence is that we must be rooted in the LORD & keep Him as the foundation. & at the center of every aspect of our lives.
Looking at the writings of Sts. Paul and James... Even today, some say "by faith alone" we will be saved; yet others say, "show me your works, & I'll show you my faith".
ReplyDeleteThe Pharisees, a prominent religious group, prided themselves in performing outward actions for all to see - yet Jesus called them hypocrites. Were they really serving God, or serving themselves in spiritual pride, rather than genuine love and mercy.
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector... The Pharisee counted up his works in prayer to God, while the sinner stood at a distance with a simple prayer, "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner".
We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own good works.
However, while "works" do not earn us salvation, they are a necessary proof of our faith. True faith is a call to action. Jesus gives us the example. Following Jesus is both "vertical and horizontal". We cannot say we love God but do not love our neighbor. Jesus taught us, be compassionate as our Heavenly Father is compassionate. Faith transforms how we act towards others; we prove our faith by our love and mercy toward others.
Being handicapped in certain areas,things are hard for me. Pain is always there but I push myself every day I can because when my get myself to church I feel at home and I forget the pain. I pray daily for my church and all of my friends and family that are always there for me. I love them all and I love my neighbors who are always there if I need them. God is good to me. I do my selemnity prayers and trust in Him to take care of everything
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