Mt 7:21, 24-27
A Foundation that Endures: An Advent Reflection
Grace Prayed For
The grace to discern God’s will in your life. This involves being attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and seeking guidance through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel.
Scripture Passage
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.”
Reflection
This passage from Matthew’s Gospel, with its stark imagery of wise and foolish builders, resonates deeply with the season of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation, not just for Christmas Day, but for the coming of Christ in all its fullness – in the manger at Bethlehem, in our hearts each day, and at the end of time. Jesus’ words challenge us to examine the foundation upon which we are building our lives.
Listening and Doing:
Jesus emphasizes the crucial difference between merely hearing his words and putting them into action. In Advent, we are called to truly listen to the Word of God, to let it penetrate our hearts and minds. This requires stillness, reflection, and a willingness to be changed by what we hear. But listening is not enough. We must also act on those words, making them the bedrock of our lives. This means living out the Gospel message in our daily choices, in our relationships, and in our commitment to justice and love.
The Rock and the Sand:
The contrasting images of the house built on rock and the house built on sand speak to the stability and security that come from grounding our lives in Christ. The “rock” represents a life rooted in faith, prayer, and obedience to God’s will. This foundation can withstand the storms of life – the challenges, temptations, and uncertainties that inevitably come our way. The “sand,” on the other hand, represents a life built on shifting values, fleeting pleasures, and self-centeredness. Such a foundation is unstable and vulnerable, easily swept away when the storms hit.
Advent and the Trinitarian God:
This passage also subtly points to the Trinity. Jesus speaks of doing the “will of my Father in heaven.” This reminds us that Jesus’ mission is rooted in the Father’s love and plan for salvation. And as we strive to live out Jesus’ teachings, we do so empowered by the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who guides and strengthens us. Advent, therefore, is a time to deepen our relationship with the entire Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
A Call to Action:
As we journey through Advent, let us ask ourselves: What kind of foundation am I building? Am I truly listening to Jesus’ words and putting them into practice? Or am I building my life on shifting sand? Let us commit to making Christ the cornerstone of our lives, so that we may stand firm in the face of any storm and be ready to welcome him when he comes again in glory.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Living in Hope and Joy: The passage concludes with an invitation to rejoice and be glad. This encourages a joyful, hopeful disposition, reflecting the joy that comes from knowing and following Jesus. This joy can become a source of strength and intimacy with Christ, even amidst life’s challenges.
Daily Scripture Reflection
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post