Wednesday, November 21, 2012

12/6/12 – Matthew 7:21, 24-27 – Thursday of first week of Advent


       What lasts in our world today?  It seems like we all want the newest gadget – a new cell phone, a new computer, a new car, the newest technology on the market.  It seems like computers that we bought just a couple of years ago are no outdated technology.  It’s hard to keep up with everything new that is coming on the market.
       Yet, the Gospel today tells us about a house that is able to last, that is able to withstand the winds, the rains, & the floods.  This story is a metaphor for all of the calamities & crises that confront us in our lives. This strong house that withstands the storms is contrasted with the house that collapses and falls into ruin when those same calamities hit.  These two houses differ not because of the material from which they have been constructed, not because of their color, height, or any other similar aspect.  They differ simply by the foundation on which they are built:  one on rock, the other on sand.  We can imagine that both houses initially seem to do well, to sit firmly, to be solid.  But, over time, along come rain, floods and winds.  Only the house built on rock survives.
       Jesus’ image in the Gospel speaks to us today in the holy season of Advent.  It tells us of the contrast between the kind of person who will enter the Kingdom of heaven and kind who will not.  The one who does the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom, the one who listens to the words of Jesus and acts upon them as well, the one who builds his life solidly upon this foundation.  This is the first week of Advent – we are just starting our preparations for the Advent season.  We are being tempted and enticed by sales and new gizmos to buy and parties that are celebrating the Christmas season already.  But we are not in Christmas yet – we are in Advent.  May we heed Christ’s message to prepare. 

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