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seems like computers that we bought just a couple of years ago are no outdated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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