Solid Rock

Readings for December 3, 2009

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest

First Reading: Isaiah 26:1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118
Gospel: Matthew 7:21, 24-27


“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.” (Mt 7:24-27)

In today's gospel, Jesus likens those who hear His words and acts on them to two men who built their homes on different foundations. The wise man built his home on solid rock, and when that house was tested it was able to stand the challenges that it faced. The foolish man however built his house on sand, that when that house faced hardship, it blew away. Now I am no construction worker or anything, but even I have enough sense to know that you do not build a house on the sand. While we may not build ourselves physically on anything that is unstable, but what about spiritually? Are we building our spiritual lives on unstable things?

The foolish man who built his house on the sand, probably was not thinking about his future. He was probably only thinking about getting a beach front property. He was not thinking if what he was building his physical dwelling on would be able to stand any hardships and if that house would even last. We do the same thing in our spiritual lives, we place a lot of focus and trust in earthly things; things which are not stable. Sometimes we build ourselves up on our work, our positions, other people, money, prestige, our own beliefs, etc. But each of these things are not stable, and can quickly be blown away. The one thing that is always a sure thing in this world is Christ. It is Christ and His truth that we should build our spiritual lives off of. If we do this, then we can live a life of joy and peace knowing that no matter what hardships come into our life, we can weather those, because we are built upon a solid rock.

The prophet Isaiah today reminds us of the stability found only in the Lord: "Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." The Lord has been and always will be a stable foundation from which we should build our lives off of. He is the one thing that will never let us down or never abandon us, all praise and honor be to Him!

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, you are our rock and our salvation; may we always live a life that is worthy of your calling. Lord, help us not to be distracted from the world, help us to stay focused on you and your will for our lives. We pray for all those who are building their house in the sand, may they find their peace and joy in you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.