Daily Reflection – 12/7/2023
Sacred Scripture
Jesus said to his disciples: “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. Everyone who listens to 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 buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” (Matthew 7:21, 24-27)
Reflection
Today’s s scripture sounds a warning bell about the need for each of us to build, strengthen and live our faith. Jesus prefaced his story with a warning: We may fool humans with our speech, but God cannot be deceived.
He sees the heart as it truly is — with its motives, intentions, desires, and choices (Psalm 139:2). There is only one way in which a person’s sincerity can be proved, and that is by one’s practice. Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we must choose between what is true or false, and good or evil. What can keep us from falsehood and disaster? If we make the Lord and his word the rock and foundation of our lives, then nothing can shake us or keep us from God’s presence and help.
It is truly about living our lives sincerely. Saying we believe in Jesus does not really cut it if our words are not matched by a life that is lived on His word.
There’s a lot of that around us these days.
Our society is deeply polarized. Words of faith are bandied about. Yet, vile characterizations are thrown out so easily that even the word “vitriol” pales. Too many now forget the vitriol and are amused by the words. How can that be? Our faith is built on love, not animus.
We can’t live there. Christian words spoken without Christ, without a relationship with Christ, without love for Jesus Christ are meaningless.
It’s not what we do in the name of the Lord that matters; it’s what the Lord does in our life. When we step aside from our pride, our vanity, our pettiness and let His love open our hearts and build a foundation, then and only then will we know the peace of Christ. Then and only then have we built the foundations of our hearts on solid rock. Then and only then will be become truly Christian. Then and only then will our words and actions be in concert with His love.
St Ignatius wrote that love is found in deeds rather than in words. Our actions DO speak far more volume than our words. No matter how many times we go to church to worship God, if we are not leaving that Church and living the Word then we fool only ourselves. Sadly, there are some churches who demonize others or harangue those whose political perspective is not in agreement. Harangue, demonize, vitriol in a house of God?
There is only one perspective. It does not belong to a person, a church or even one who leads a flock of Christians. It’s the perspective of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
We can fall on our knees every day in prayer but as soon as we rise, our language and criticism of others and their actions bespeak the rage in our hearts. Jesus tells us that is the type of “house” which will be washed away. A true working faith bears witness to Jesus long after we get up off our knees.
There is only one way in which a person’s sincerity can be proved, and that is by one’s practice. Fine words can never replace good deeds. A true person is honest and reliable before God, one’s neighbor and oneself. For ourselves and for our eternal lives, we MUST match our words with actions that speak of Christ.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom, foresight, and strength of character I need to do what is right and good and to reject whatever is false and contrary to your will. May I be a doer of your word and not a hearer only”.
Daily Note
To be a follower of Jesus means that behaviors and actions–the manner in which we live out our daily lives–are the artifacts of the inner life of faith. More to the point, mere words, performance of deeds, even miraculous ones done in the name of Jesus, or random deeds of mercy will not affect one’s eternal destiny. Religiosity will not help either. It’s only when our deeds driven by a Christ filled heart are matched by our hearts.
